Toward the sun – From darkness into light

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

Summer time is slowly coming end. The heyday of many plants is already over. But there is one flower that blooms well into autumn. It’s the sunflower. The bright yellow flowers of the sunflower remind me of the sun. The sun is full of energy and power, without it life on earth would not be possible. Sunlight let us feel well and puts us in a good mood. Nature, the plants reach out for the sun and we humans also need the light and warm of the sun, which we enjoy well into the autumn months.

Looking at the sunflower, we can see how the plants reach out for the light. It towers high and needs a lot of energy to grow like that in such a short time. Without the sun this would not be possible. It is interesting to see that the sunflower always orients itself towards the light. Even when the sky is cloudy, the sunflower seems to know where the sun is. The position of the sun is her compass, which she follows.

God’s love is also like the sun. Without God’s love, power and strength, light and warm there would be no life. Even if we experience dark times when clouds block our vision and block the light, we are allowed to know: God is there even when we don’t see or feel him. God himself is the light, we can read about it in the Bible:

“Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

This light shines on us in Jesus Christ. He came from heaven to light up our world. When we reach out to him, align ourselves with him, our life becomes bright and we go from darkness into light. Jesus is like a compass showing us the direction and way to the glory of God. In this light we can recognize God, God does not remain in the dark and unrecognized, but shows himself through Jesus in human form. The light of Jesus dispels the darkness of sadness. And Jesus also brings light into the darkness of our sin. Sin darkens our lives and separates us from God. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, to bring us into the light.

“I came into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me should not remain in darkness” John 12:46

Maybe you also long for this light that drives away all darkness, for the light of the world. Let the power of his love shine through your cloud cover until the sky opens up and new life awakens in you. You can also reach out to God’s light by reading the Bible. His Word is like a compass pointing you in the right direction, as it is written in

Psalm 119:105; “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

starry sky – the glory of god

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

On a mild summer evening, I stayed out in the garden for longer, until it got dark. I sat on a lounge chair and watched the sky. It was a clear night, not a cloud could be seen. The darker it got, the more lights I could see in the sky. Her luminosity and splendor grew stronger and stronger. I could only marvel at the wonderful starry sky and how numerous the stars showed up. It seemed to me that God wanted to reveal His greatness and glory to me at that moment. Joy and gratitude filled my heart for all that God created.

“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who makes their army come forward by number, calls them all by name: Before him, rich in might and mighty in strength, not one is lacking.” Isaiah 40:26

“He counts the number of the stars, he calls them all by name.” Psalm 147:4

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have prepared, what is man that you remember him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:4- 5

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:2

Just as God knows and counts every single star in the sky, he also knows every single one of us. He knows you, he loves you and he sees you. He knows you by name and, like a star, created you wonderfully and uniquely. He knows everything about you, knows your strengths and weaknesses, your joys and sorrows. God loves you just the way you are and he calls you. He calls you into his presence, into a relationship with him, he calls you by name.

God shows and proves his love for us by letting us marvel at his creation. We can enjoy a wonderful starry sky. He also shows his love by getting close to us humans. Jesus came to earth, became human like us and died on the cross for our sins. He took our guilt upon Himself to restore our relationship with the Father, to dissolve the separation between man and God, to call us into the glory of God. In his presence we can begin to shine, God brings his light to us. His light makes us shine and the darker and darker it gets around us, the brighter we will shine as the light of God penetrates us.

In the hands of god

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

A small child grasps the hand of his father or mother. It feels safe and secure in the familiar hand. It can be led. The child depends on hands to hold it and guide it on its way.

But how is it when we grow up. At some point we let go, go on independently and look for our own way. On the one hand, we feel independent and free. We have life in our own hands. We go where we want, where life takes us. On the other hand, deep inside we feel a longing. We long for a trusting hand that holds and guides us, for security and safety.

This longing in us is actually the longing for God. He has placed it in the heart of every human being so that we may seek him.

“He put in the heart of man a desire to inquire of that which is eternal” Ecclesiastes 3:11

The first step towards the father’s hand is the realization that we need him, that we depend on his rescue and help. In that moment we will grasp God’s hand and let ourselves fall into his strong hands.

With God we are in the best hands. God’s hand created the universe, our world and us humans out of nothing. Everything that is has been created by his creative hand.

“You have made me happy, Lord, with your works. I rejoice in the works of your hands.” Psalm 92:5

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the vault of heaven declares the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:2

“Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our molder, and we are all the work of your hands.” Isaiah 64:7

God’s hand is the hand that protects us. In his hands we are safe and secure.

“You surround me on all sides and hold your protective hand over me.” Psalm 139:5

God’s hand is everywhere to guide and guide us in all areas of our lives. We are never alone in his hand.

” Where should I flee from your spirit, and where can I escape from your presence? If I fly up into the sky, you are there; if I descend into the realm of the dead[1], you are there too. If I took the wings of the dawn or dwelt at the outermost sea, your hand would lead me there too, and your strong arm would hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

God extends his saving hand to us. He comes very close to us. The saving hand is the hand of Jesus Christ. With this hand he knocks on the door of our hearts. We can grasp this hand with childlike trust and in the knowledge that we are his children.

Through Jesus and his work on the cross for us, the way to the father’s hand is free. Through Jesus, God accepts us as his children who belong to him and whom no one can snatch from his hand.

“And I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them from my hand. What my father gave me is greater than all, and no one can snatch it from the father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:28-30

Seed and harvest

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

“From now on, every day on earth, sowing and harvesting, frost and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.”Genesis 8:22.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the garden over the last few weeks. There was a lot to do there. Starting with the clean-up work, cutting trees and shrubs, preparing and turning over the soil, weeding and planting, sowing and watering vegetables, lettuce and flowers.

As is well known, you reap what you sow, but it takes a lot of work and care before a garden like this is harvested. Growth doesn’t happen by itself. Many factors work together to produce fruit. It needs the sun, light, good soil and water. But not only good things grow in my garden. If I don’t do anything, if I don’t cultivate my garden, more and more weeds will grow and overgrow everything. Weeds grow by themselves and faster than anything else and I have to regularly pull them up and weed the garden, get rid of them so that I can have a good harvest in the end.

I can learn a lot from gardening. In a figurative sense, I can also compare the garden to my heart. In my heart, too, the principle of sowing and reaping applies. Negative thoughts such as worries, fears, pride, arrogance, envy, egoism, greed, anger, impatience, bitterness, doubt, hatred, unforgiveness want to settle in my heart under certain circumstances. I need to regularly examine my thoughts and uproot those roots lest they overgrow everything else and allow good fruits such as love, forgiveness, joy, peace, courage, generosity, humility, mercy, grace, gratitude, kindness, patience, faith, etc. to grow and I can reap good things.

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evils come from within and make people unclean. Mark 7:21-23“

“Most of all, guard your heart, for your heart affects all of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

Focus on what is true and decent and right. Ponder what is pure and lovely and admirable, things worthy of distinction and praise” Philippians 4:8

As well as keeping the garden free of weeds and constantly checking what is growing, I also want to look into my heart again and again. What are my thoughts? What do I sow in my inner garden? What thought patterns should I discard? Which weeds should I uproot? Is there room in my heart for the good fruit? How can good fruit grow in my heart, what do I need for that? I need the right nutrients, I need light and water. All of this I find when I stay in touch with Jesus, when I stay in his love. Jesus helps me to distinguish good from bad and with him I can give up everything that weighs me down, all the weeds in me, his word is food for my soul, and I can only grow and bear fruit in relationship to him. He is my light and the living water I need. The Holy Spirit in me should guide my thoughts and get space in my heart.

Jesus says: “I am the vine; you are the vines. Whoever abides in me and I in him will bear much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

“Every thought that rebels against God I take captive and put under the command of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5

Verse of the bible for 2022

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

Everyone longs for acceptance and love in life. To be accepted just as you are and to belong somewhere. And each of us certainly knows the feeling of being excluded, of not really being accepted in a group or community, or even of being rejected. Those who have had the experience in childhood of not being accepted due to their mistakes and weaknesses, of having to achieve something in order to get recognition or simply being excluded due to being different, these situations often shape their whole life.

The thought pattern of being an outsider is not easy to break. There is a way out, however. Everyone can have the experience to be loved unconditionally, to be accepted with all weaknesses and faults. Jesus invites all people to come to him just as they are. He promises:

“Whoever comes to me I will not be rejected or cast out.” John 6:37

Jesus does not judge our doing, thinking, or status. Everyone can come. God accepts us. Whoever accepts this invitation and comes to him, experiences acceptance and real belonging. Jesus himself took the first step towards us humans. He came to earth as a human being to be close to us and to reconcile us with God the Father. Whoever comes to Jesus and believes that he is the way to the Father, that he paid for our guilt and sin through his death, is accepted into eternal communion with God. God will not reject anyone who comes to him, no matter what the past is. Experiencing this unconditional love of God, helps to break through and let go of negative thought patterns. In addition, we can bring all of our injuries and experiences in which we felt excluded or rejected, to God. For this, too, Jesus died to relieve us of all burdens. He has already carried them on the cross. Jesus liberates and fills our hearts with his love and acceptance.

God’s love also helps us to forgive and to take a step towards our fellow human beings, just as Jesus came to us. So we can see the other with God’s eyes.

“Therefore accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, that God may be honored!” Romans 15:17 NIV

“Dear brothers and sisters, we want to love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love has not known God, because God is love. 9 God’s love for us is evident in the fact that he sent his only Son into the world to give us life in him. 10 Love is not because we loved God, but because he loved us and sent his Son as an atonement for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we too must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen him himself. But when we love one another, God lives in us, and his love has reached its goal in us. 13 We can tell that we live in him and he in us by the fact that he has given us a share in his spirit. 14 We have also seen with our own eyes and can testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 And if anyone confesses to Jesus as the Son of God, then God lives in him and he in God. 16 In any case, we have seen that God loves us; and we believe in his love. God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in God and God lives in him. 17 In this, too, love has come to its goal with us: We can look forward to the day of judgment with confidence, because just as Jesus is connected to the Father, we also live in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, for God’s perfect love removes all fear. Anyone who is still afraid expects to be punished. With him, love has not yet reached its goal. 19 But we love because he first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God!” But hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. Because if you don’t love your siblings, whom you can see, how can you love God, whom you have never seen? 21 Remember the commandment God gave us: He who loves God should also love his brothers and sisters. 1 John 4: 7-21 NIV

Trust god in all circumstances

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

In our life there are joys and sorrows, good and bad times, light and darkness, successes and crises, life and death. Often things happen differently than expected, where everything seems to be against us and we have no plan how to proceed. Many people lose their hope, their stability and their confidence as a result.

The current situation around Corona, which affects people all over the world, also brings a lot of uncertainty and raises questions. The illness, loss of work and financial difficulties, restrictions, worries, fears, isolation and loneliness have messed up our usual life and nothing is as it once was. Everyone is affected in some way. The ground under your feet can easily be pulled away, if you are not standing on a solid foundation.

And this safe foundation, this safe haven for me is the relationship with God. In the Bible we can read:

“We know, however, that all things serve for the best of those who love God.” Romans 8:28

This word is one of the most beautiful and wonderful promises of God in the Bible. Those who trust in it have an unshakable hold. Beliefing in it gives me serenity in every circumstance and takes away fears and worries. No matter what comes, no matter what happens in the world, whatever pressure is put on me, no matter what decisions I make: God can make all things serve me for the best if I trust him and be in contact with him.

It says literally in the verse: All things serve for the best for those who love God. Whoever really loves God puts God first in his life, he completely relies on God. Martin Luther writes:

“What you rely on and what your heart depends on is your God.”

It’s about loving God with all your heart. For us, this is the most important commandment:

“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” Luke 10:27

So the promise applies to those who love God and it applies to all people. Because every person is invited by God to fully entrust himself to him and to live in relationship with him. God sent his Son Jesus to earth. He is the way to God. Whoever believes in him has the forgiveness of sin and is reconciled to God.

“For God so [1] loved the world that he gave his only [2] son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

As children of God we can trust and be certain that God holds all things in his hand and that he will direct all things in such a way that they serve us for the best. We do not need to fear difficulties, hardships, suffering and crises either, because we know that nothing and no one can separate us from God’s love.

“Because I am quite sure: Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons [6], neither present nor future nor any powers, 39 neither high nor low or anything else in the world can separate us from the love of God, which he gives us in Jesus Christ our Lord. ”Romans 8: 38-39

Face challenges with courage

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

How do you feel in times of challenge, when you start new tasks or new projects in your life? Do you resist change or do you like to be challenged?

When I face new challenges, my feelings are twofold. There is the anticipation of what is to come, but also uncertainty and fears: will I make it? Do I have the skills? Will the project succeed?

In this situation only one thing helps me: Come to God with my plans and entrust them to him. I don’t want to rely on my feelings or my abilities and strengths, but on God’s power. When I am faced with a great task, I say to myself: If God wants this from me, then I can. The following 5 steps bring me further on my way:

1: I remember: In which challenges has God already strengthened me? Where did God speak to me? What miracles has God done in my life?

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget what good he has done you! Praise the Lord, my soul, and what is in me, his holy name! ” Psalm 103 2.

2: I seek the presence of God before the challenge. I take the time to read the Bible, read His Word, listen to praise music, or just go for a walk with God. The presence of God strengthens and encourages me.

3. I believe the truth. The truth are not my worries, doubts and negative beliefs (I can’t do it I am not able), but the promises of God in his word. Jesus is my power and his power works in me.

“And he said to me: My grace suffices for you; for my strength is perfected in weakness. That is why I will most dearly boast of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell with me. ”2 Corinthians 12: 9

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me power and strength. Philippians 4:13

I can bravely take on new challenges because I know that God is with me. My trust lies in him and he gives me the courage, strength and skills that I need.

“Be brave and strong! Do not be afraid and do not be intimidated by them! For the LORD your God goes with you. He always stands by you and does not abandon you! ”Deuteronomy 31: 6

“Then he turned to his son Solomon:“ Get to work without hesitation! Do not be afraid and do not let anything discourage you! For the Lord my God will help you. He will not leave you and will help you until the building of the temple is completed. ”1 Chronicles 28:20

4. I am looking for fellowship with fellow believers in church and home group groups. Prayer and encouragement are very important to me. We need each other, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer puts it in the following quote:

“That is why the Christian needs the Christian who tells him God’s word, he needs him again and again when he is uncertain and despondent; for he cannot help himself without deceiving himself of the truth. He needs the brother as the bearer and preacher of the divine word of salvation. “

5. I make a decision and I trust.

“Be brave and determined! Do not be intimidated and do not be afraid! For I, the LORD your God, will help you wherever you go. Joshua 1.9

“So be strong and determined! Do not let anything discourage you and do not be afraid! ”1 Chronicles 22:13

With trust in God I can make courageous decisions, dare new steps and face challenges with confidence. I know I can’t do anything without God, but with him things become possible that were previously impossible.

“All things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

Serenity

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

Serenity, inner calm is an inner attitude, the ability, especially in difficult situations, to maintain composure or an unbiased attitude. It is the opposite of restlessness, excitement, nervousness and stress (source Wikipedia). It is often not easy to be or remain calm when we are faced with challenges and difficult situations. When things happen that we are not in control of, it is not easy to be calm. Nevertheless, we should practice serenity every day in the various situations and strive more and more for inner peace. Inner peace regardless of what happens around us. Serenity is good for our health, and the Bible even says that serenity extends our lives (see Proverbs 14:30).

What helps us to be calm? To be calm I need the confidence that my situation will turn out for the better. But what do I put my trust in? On my own strength, on having everything under control or maybe on other people? I need a foundation that I stand on, that gives me security and that I can rely on. Our own strength has its limits, it is impossible to have everything under control and we cannot rely on others either. There is only one that we can 100% rely on and trust in all of our circumstances. I mean the God of the Bible. If we build our house of life on Christ, if he is our foundation, nothing and no one will upset us so quickly.

“Even when the earth shakes and people are in turmoil, it is I who give support to their foundations” Psalm 75: 4

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which has already been laid – Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:11

Faith in God helps me not to look at the circumstances but to focus my gaze on God. The certainty that God is there and that He has a good plan gives me serenity. He has everything under control, I don’t have to have everything under control myself. That’s why I can stay calm inside. God walks with me through challenges and difficulties. I can let myself fall into his hands. I can’t fall any deeper than in God’s hand. When I lose peace, I can keep reminding myself how great and mighty God is and that nothing is impossible for him. Don’t tell God how big your problem, but tell your problem how big is your god.

Serenity prayer (Reinhold Niebuhr): God give me the serenity to accept things that I can’t change, the courage to change things that I can change and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other. To live one day at a time to enjoy one moment at a time. To accept deprivation as a way to peace. To accept this sinful world as Jesus did and not in the way I would like them to be. To trust that you’ll do everything right if I give myself to your will, so that I may be pretty happy in this life and in the next forever overjoyed with you. Amen.

He who seeks finds

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

Everyone who has children knows how it is like, when they have certain wishes or need something. It is normal for children to plead their parents again and again. Even if they don’t get everything they want, they don’t give up and expect their wishes to be granted. Children trust their parents and know that they need their help. As parents, we always want the best for our children. That is why we will not be able to fulfill all of their wishes, and we will also say no to some things.

Just as the children come to their mother and father with their requests and wishes, as children of God, we can come to our Father in Heaven – with faith, perseverance, and determination. We believe we have a loving Father and a good God who only has the best in mind for us. He loves to give us everything we need, what is good for us and serves us for the best.

“Ask God and he will give you! Search and you will find! Knock and the door will be opened for you! Because whoever asks receives. He who seeks finds. And if you knock, the door will be opened. Would any of you give your child a stone if he asks for a piece of bread? Or a snake when it asks for a fish? Despite all your wickedness, you humans know what is good for your children and give it to them. How much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him! ”Matthew 7: 7

So does that mean we can ask God for anything and He will give it to us? No – because God knows us much better than we do and knows what is good for us.

“Your father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him for anything” Matthew 6: 8

He has a good plan for our life. We can only see this plan in connection with God when we live with him in community and in a personal relationship. Without God we only pursue our own goals and desires, which often do not agree with God’s will at all.

“Why do you have so much fights and arguments? Doesn’t everything come from the fact that in you the passions and instincts fight for supremacy? You want everything and you will not get anything. You are full of envy and deadly hatred [1]; but you will not gain anything from it. Your quarrels and fights are of no use to you. As long as you do not ask God, you will not receive anything. And if you ask him, he won’t give you anything. Because you have evil intentions: your only concern is to fulfill your selfish desires. ”James 4: 1-3

We can ask ourselves the following questions: What am I asking for? What am I looking for? Who do I ask, who do I knock on? What doors does God want to open for me?

God wants to give us a new, pure heart. Jesus died for us so that we could live for him, for his glory. We are to search for God and His will, agree with it and inquire about His plan for our life and put aside our own selfish desires.

“First of all work for God’s kingdom and for his will to be done. Then he will provide you with everything else. ”Matthew 6:33

Our pride and ego, our endeavors to achieve everything by our own strength and effort, our thinking that we know ourself what is good for us, not to need any help – all this prevents us from living in the determination that God has for our life. The best we can do is to live in dependence on God, the Father, to believe in him, to trust and to know that he lives and works in us.

“I live, but no longer myself, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body in faith in the Son of God, who loved me and sacrificed himself for me. ”Galatians 2:20

“So if someone belongs to Christ, then he is a new person. What was before has passed, something completely new has begun. ”2 Corinthians 5:17

With that in mind, I can count on God to answer my prayers, believe that doors will open, and expect that I will find what I am looking for.

“But we know that all things serve for the best of those who love God.” Romans 8:28

Reconcilation

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

In every good friendship or relationship there is also a quarrel. It is important to come back to reconciliation afterwards. In my work , I have often seen how children argue, but also how quickly they reconcile and are not resentful at all. They meet as if nothing had ever happened.

It is usually different among adults. I know stories where families or friends become alienated due to an argument, break off contact, often stop talking to each other for years and avoid each other. The consequences of irreconcilability are bitterness, hatred, strife, broken relationships and breakups. I think that’s very bad and a shame, because it doesn’t have to be that way. Reconciliation is possible. Stories of reconciliation are wonderful. I’ve seen a friend make up with her mother-in-law after years. Together with a friend, we encouraged her to take the first step, to forgive and to offer her mother-in-law an offer of reconciliation. We prayed for her and with God’s help it was possible to re-establish relationship with each other.

Obstacles to reconciliation are mostly pride, arrogance and not giving in – wanting to be right. But instead it is better to try to see everyone through God’s eyes, not just to look at their faults and weaknesses.

“Do not do anything out of controversy or ambition, but be humble and respect others more than yourself!” Philippians 2: 3

Forgiveness comes before reconciliation. Forgiveness frees our heart, we can let go of negative feelings and put situations and people into God’s hands so that we are no longer burdened. If we have forgiven, we can make the other person an offer of reconciliation and, in the best case scenario, there will be a happy ending – reconciliation.

The most beautiful story of reconciliation that I know is that between God and man. Jesus came to earth to reconcile us with God. Out of love for us humans, he takes the first step towards us. He loved us first. Because there is something that separates us from God – sin. Jesus died for our sins on the cross and thus restored the access – the connection to God. If we believe in his sacrifice for us, we are reconciled to God and the relationship with God is restored.

“Through his death on the cross in human form he reconciled you to himself in order to bring you back into the presence of God and to make you holy and flawless before him. Colossians 1:22

“Christ is the atonement for our sins, not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be atone for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

“But be cordial and friendly to one another and forgive one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Ephesian 4,32

“So we are now ambassadors on behalf of Christ, because God admonishes through us: so we now ask on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.” 2.Corinthians 5,20

Jesus’ wish was unique. He wanted to bring his children home. The Bible has a word for this desire: reconciliation. (Max Lucado) Reconciliation is the inner healing of our hearts through the love of Jesus. It is not the outward acts of baptism, confirmation or communion that reconcile a person with God. Reconciliation lies solely in repentance and conversion to Jesus Christ. (Walter Mauerhofer). Now an eternal friendship, eternal reconciliation, eternal peace and eternal love is established between God and man. If God looks at us in his Son, he cannot help but be gracious to us. (Johann Friedrich Starck)