Spring cleaning

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

I started my spring cleaning this week. I would like to use the time now to once again create order thoroughly. Room by room, box by box, drawer by drawer i must put out what is no longer needed. Over time, a lot accumulates that I can dispose of and sort out. After clearing out, i can clean.

I want to do this action not only in my house, but above all in my inner being, my heart, my soul, my spirit. A lot can accumulate there too, which has to be disposed of. These can be bad habits, patterns, negative thoughts / feelings or beliefs that are not good for me. Bad experiences, injuries, guilt – all these are things that burden me and that I no longer want to carry around with me.

“Proverbs 4: 23-24:” Protect your heart more than anything else; because the source of life springs from it. “

But where to go with all the burdens? New things can only emerge if I let go of all the ballast of the soul. There is someone who wants me to be free and unloaded.

“Christ freed us for freedom” Galatians 5: 1

I can let go, bring my burdens to Jesus on the cross. This is how I get free. Free so that something new can emerge. Negative beliefs, thought patterns are torn down. God wants to renew my thoughts with his truth, with his unconditional love, with his peace.

I do not have to hold on to what is not good for me, but put it in God’s hands and realign my thoughts – rethink. Let me fill with God’s good thoughts about me. Jesus is the one who saves, releases, restores, heals.

Look; I’m doing something new; it is already germinating. Don’t you see it? I make my way through the desert and create rivers in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

With him I can pour out my heart and let myself be filled with new hope again and again.


Throw all your burdens on God, for he looks after you 1 Peter 5: 7

Come to me all of you who are tired and bear heavy burdens, I will give you rest Matthew 11:28

Every day I want to give God new space to live in me and to look at him. It should have the first place in my heart. The stronger the relationship with God, the more I am in His presence, the more peace and quiet I experience and the more He gives me a pure, constant heart.

“You will experience God’s peace that is greater than your human mind can ever understand. His peace will keep your heart and your thoughts in faith in Jesus Christ ”(Philippians 4: 7)

Crisis as an opportunity

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

There are crises in every life, which can be personal crises or also affect entire population groups. It is currently affecting the whole world through the corona virus. The economy, tourism and social life have come to a standstill in many countries. Our lives have changed a lot at the moment. We have to avoid social contacts to stop the virus from spreading. Meetings with friends, sports, festivals, theater, cinema, church services etc. are not possible. We can only leave the house if it is necessary, for work reasons, for shopping or for health reasons.

There is uncertainty among people, nobody knows how long the situation will last and how it will end up. What else will we have to do, will the health system be able to withstand, how will the economic situation develop?

However, this slowed time also gives you the chance to pause and reflect on what really matters in life. We can focus on the essentials, set new priorities, rethink. Now the values ​​of our performance society no longer count – higher, faster, further -. Perfectionism and performance. Now counts helpfulness, cohesion, solidarity, renunciation of consideration, taking care of each other and encouraging each other.

“Let us take care of each other! We want to encourage each other to love each other and encourage each other to do good. ”Hebrews 10:24

In times like these we also become aware of how satisfied and grateful we can be for everything we have and we can also think about our consumer behavior. Now that most stores are closed and we can only buy what we really need, many things are no longer necessary. So we notice in what abundance we actually live and how little we actually need effectively.

“Be thankful in all things” 1. Thessalonians 5:18

Now that we can no longer visit our friends, cultivate a community, the services are no longer available, we recognize even more the value of good relationships and friendships that build us up and do us good.

“Friendship is a gift from God”

Now that all schools are closed and depending on the job some parents do not go to work, we have a lot of time to cultivate community in our families and to think of common activities at home.

With traffic at a standstill, we can already see an improvement in air values, nature can regenerate, in Venice people are happy about crystal-clear water in the canals due to the fact that no more ships are sailing. In Trieste dolphins swim to the shore.

We can also see this crisis as an opportunity to think about what ultimately really gives us stability in life. What are we building our foundation on, who or what gives us security? What remains when material things, wealth, finances, health etc. are lost. Who is our provider? All of these things are impermanent and have no hold.

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

We can remember Almighty God, who created heaven and earth, for whom nothing is impossible, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. In all of our uncertainty and worries, we can trust him. It is at this time when our faith is being tested that we want to hold on to God and confess that He rules. We can use the time to pray, read and proclaim his word.

“My grace is all you need. My strength shows in your weakness ”2 Corinthians 12: 9

Finally, a suitable text that I found on the Internet (author unknown):

The world stands still and we suddenly all have the opportunity to rethink our lives, to discover new sides in oneself, to make difficult decisions and to deal with fears … Suddenly things become important that we have taken for granted long enough: We miss physical closeness to people, social contacts, the privilege to move freely, travel, carefree life, financial security and normality … Is there a reason why everything is turned upside down? Is it a cry for help from nature that needs a break from us? Have we lost the value of life? Just have to be reminded once again of the importance of our life? In this exceptional situation we get to know each other better and have the opportunity to become a little “better”, to set priorities differently, to treat our fellow human beings with respect and love and, at best, to put our own needs back …

Don’t be scared, don’t be afraid

Lesedauer 6 Minuten

A virus is currently keeping the whole world under its spell, everyone is talking about it, the media is bringing new reports every hour. The disease has spread from China and has now reached us. More and more infected people are coming.

What spreads with this virus is mostly worry, fear,  and terror and I think that is much worse than the virus itself. The danger is not the virus, but the panic of the people that it creates. Food is being hoarded because of fear, and the supermarket shelves are partly empty. Protective masks and disinfectants are bought in huge quantities. The whole thing is being fueled by the media and, in my opinion, presented much worse than it actually is. Those who regularly follow the news can easily get into fear and scare. I doubt whether everything is true. Politicians take all possible measures to curb the spread of the disease: schools, kindergartens, childcare facilities are closed, public events are canceled, safety measures are adopted. There is a lot that makes sense to protect the population, especially the sick and the elderly. I think it’s good for us to be careful and attentive and to abide by the rules, but we shouldn’t let the panic and fear infect us.

As an example, the situation here in South Tyrol. Last Thursday, South Tyrol was classified by the Robert Koch Institute as an endangered zone, due to the fact that there were only two cases of two tourists reported to have been infected in this country. This message was then widely distributed in the newspapers, so that it will certainly cause great economic damage, especially tourism will be affected.

On one of the worst days since the outbreak of the corona virus, February 10, 108 people died in China from the disease. Of course, that’s terrible.

But … on the same day …

63,000 unborn lives were aborted, over 26,000 people died of cancer,
24,000 of heart diseases,
Approx. 2200 people committed suicide on this day.
Approx. 3,600 people were murdered and 2,300 killed by a mosquito bite.
And about 3500 people died that day from excessive alcohol consumption. You could go on with the list, just think of the many people who die of hunger and need, countless people who die of wars, accidents, etc.

In addition, it must be said that 95% of those affected have recovered and the course of the disease is harmless, with symptoms of runny nose and fever. People who die by the virus usually have a weakened immune system due to an existing disease. People also die from normal influenza every year.

The danger posed by the corona virus has so far been unrelated. Of course, we all do not know how the situation will develop in the future and that is exactly what I think creates uncertainty.

    Fear of the unknown
    Fear of losing control
    Fear of illness
    Fear of death

What can be observed is firstly the impotence of man, that man, as he often thinks, cannot control everything and have everything under control and how quickly he can lose the ground under his feet and his security and secondly also selfishness and the greed of people, for example when I read that disinfectants and respirators are stolen in hospitals and thus put people at risk of life who are then without these life-saving utensils.

What does the situation do to me, what helps me to keep calm?

I can say that a few years ago I would certainly have reacted to such a situation with fear. I would have been worried and would certainly have been influenced by the media and scare mongering among people. Today, faith in God gives me the opportunity to react to it differently and to deal with it differently. I look less at what is happening around me and the circumstances, and instead I focus on Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I have not yet stored any food supplies at home, have not yet bought respiratory masks and I also go out with people without hesitation.

I do not fear. Worries or fears don’t help me.


“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? No “Matthew 6.25

I feel safe because I know I am in his hand no matter what. It is my protection and my shield. I know I have nothing under control, but I trust him and want to rely on his promises to speak his word about my life. What I say has power in my life, thoughts and words are powerful, they can cause life or death. Thoughts of worry and fear will paralyze me, make me sick, prevent life. Thoughts of confidence and faith will strengthen, encourage and bring me life.

“Words have power: you can choose between life and death” Proverbs 18:21

What can I do personally against the spread of the corona virus? I can pray, maintain a healthy lifestyle (diet-exercise-drink a lot) to strengthen my immune system, follow governmental precautions, and live a fear-free, stress-free life. I can overcome my fear through trust in God.

Christ says: You are afraid in the world; but be confident, I have overcome the world. John 16.33

Jesus says very clearly: We will experience situations that put us in fear, but we do not have to remain in fear but look at him who has overcome the world. With him I also become an overcomer. With him I’m on the winning side. The deeper my relationship with him, the less fear I have, because his love makes all fears disappear.
God’s perfect love dispels fear

“Fear is not in love, but perfect love drives fear out” 1 John 4:18

“So what could separate us from Christ and his love? Suffering and fear perhaps? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger or violent death? ”Romans 8.35

“Because I am quite certain: Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons [, neither present nor future nor any powers, 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

Fear never comes from God, but always from the enemy, God’s adversary. He comes to rob us and destroy what God wants to give us. He is a liar from the start, the Bible says he is the father of lies.

“He was a murderer from the start and always hated the truth. There is no truth in it. If he lies, it corresponds to his nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. “John 8.44

I don´t want to see and hear the news of the world, so I get enough with the fact that I spend a lot of time on social media. I don’t want to be flooded with negative headlines that don’t do me good. I prefer to deal with the truth that is in the Word of God. I can use the Word of God in this situation for myself. His word is alive and speaks to me. Where there is uncertainty and unrest around me, I can experience peace, a peace that the world does not know because I believe his word when he speaks:

“I’m leaving you a present – my peace. And the peace that I give is not like the peace that the world gives. So don’t worry and don’t be afraid. “John 14:27

I can unload everything that  worries me to him. He carried everything for me on the cross so that I could be free.

My daily prayer against the corona virus is Psalm 91:

“Those who live under the protection of the highest find peace in the shadow of the Almighty. He said to the Lord: You are my refuge and my castle, my God, whom I trust. Because he will protect you from all dangers and protect you in dire straits. He will cover you with his wings and you will find refuge with him. His loyalty protects you like a big shield. Do not be afraid of the attacks at night and do not be afraid of the dangers of the day, of the plague that lurks in the dark, of the plague that strikes you on bright day. If thousands die next to you, if tens of thousands fall around you, nothing can happen to you. You will see it with your own eyes, you will see how God punishes the wicked. If the Lord is your refuge, if you seek the highest protection, then evil will not harm you and no misfortune will reach your house. Because he commands his angels to protect you wherever you go. They carry you on hands so that you don’t hit your foot against a stone. You will trample lions and venomous snakes, you will trample wild lions and serpents with your feet! The Lord says: »I want to save the one who loves me. I want to protect the one who trusts my name. When he calls to me, I want to answer. I want to help him in need and save and honor him. I want to give him a long life and let him get my help. “”

I am quite sure that God protects his children.

That is why we need not be afraid and not to worry.

“So don’t worry and don’t ask, ‘Will we have enough to eat? And what are we going to drink? What should we wear? ‹Only people who do not know God can be determined by such things. Your Heavenly Father knows that you need all of this ”Matthew 6: 31-32 In this uncertain time, as believing Christians, we can be a witness to faith and confidence, brin hope and make people around us aware that there is a God who holds the whole world in his hands.

Longing for recognition

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

Recognition is one of the basic human needs. Everyone wants to be seen, “recognized” just as he is. The search for recognition is the search for appreciation, respect and love. In the word recognition we find the word “know or recognize”.
Who can satisfy this longing in us?

If we search for recognition from people, it will always happen that we will be disappointed. This recognition is often not unconditionally.

I will be considered if:

    I behave in a certain way
    I do what is expected of me
    if i adjust
    the more I do
    the more i own

Today’s society works according to the performance principle. People are valued based on their performance and that at school. That’s why the children are asking themselves: What do I have to do to be seen?

The need to belong somewhere means that we often have to disguise ourselves, wear masks and cannot be what we really are. This whole system leads to performance thinking, to do more and more to get recognition. We compare ourselves to others.

The striving to be seen can also lead us to perfectionism. Then we are driven, we want to make everything perfect, we always want to be better and we don’t want to make mistakes anymore.

This is how we make our self-image, our self-worth dependent on people’s opinions and assessments. We become a game ball, are manipulable and easily vulnerable.

I know performance thinking and perfectionism very well. For many years in my life, I worked according to this principle. I always wanted to please everyone and it was hard for me to say “no”.

Over time I became more and more dissatisfied and internally empty and trapped because I realized that it is never enough and it will never be enough.

When I came to faith and got to know Jesus, I realized that I was looking for recognition in the wrong place all the time.
What God thinks about you is much more important than what others think about you-

God leads me to freedom, God’s love for me is unconditional. I am valuable, unique and do not need to compare myself with anyone. I am a child of God, created in his image. God loves me the way I am, regardless of what I do or do. God never leaves me alone, he is always with me. He is there, under all circumstances I can come to him. He looks at me with a loving look, even if I make mistakes.

God is the one who “knows” me best because he is my creator. In his presence I can be who I really am. He sees me and knows everything about me. He loves me with my mistakes and weaknesses.



“Lord, you see me,
    you know me through and through.
2 Whether I’m sitting or standing – you know
    from afar you can see what I think.
3 Whether I go or lie – you see me
    my whole life is known to you
4 Even before I start talking
    you know what i want to say
5 You surround me from all sides
    and hold your protective hand over me
6 That you know me so well is beyond my understanding;
    it is too high for me, I can not understand it! Psalm 139: 1-6

“You created me with my innermost,
    You formed me in my mother’s womb.
14 Lord, thank you for that
    that you made me so wonderful and unique!
Everything you created is great –
    I recognize that!
15 As soon as I took cover in secret,
still invisible, artfully formed in my mother’s womb [b],
    I wasn’t hidden from you anyway.
16 When I was just starting
    have you already seen me Psalm 139: 13-16

“How overwhelming are your thoughts for me, oh God,
    there are so many!
18 They are more numerous than the sand by the sea;
    if I wanted to count them all, I would never come to an end ”Psalm 139: 17-18

With God, my need for recognition, appreciation, love is fulfilled in a way that no one could ever fulfill.

This knowledge of being accepted unconditionally with him, having everything I need in him, strengthens my self-esteem and my self-image. With this certainty I want to go out into the world, take off my masks and live in the identity as a child of God. I no longer have to adapt, do everything and everywhere, just to be recognized, I can authentically stand by my values ​​regardless of what other people say or think.

I no longer want to live to please people, but to please God. Thereby perfectionism and performance thinking have to go away and therefore serenity and peace come into my life.

“I and God” – we are always the majority

Quotation from Debora Sommer: “I am grateful to learn that I am not defined by my performance, but by my relationship with the Creator”

“What can you say about that? If God is for us, who can still be against us? “Romans 8.31

Interview with God

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

Interview with God (by Beth Alves)

I dreamed I had an interview with God. “Come in,” said God. “So you want to ask me something?” “Only if you have time for me,” I said. God laughed and said: “My time is eternity and that’s enough for everything. – What questions would you like to ask me? “And I asked:” What is the most surprising thing about people? “God replied:” …

that they find it so boring to be children and want to grow up and then long to be children again ……

that they ruin their health to make a lot of money and then invest all their money to get well again ……

that they worry so much about the future that they forget about the present and then neither live properly in the present nor in the future ……

that they live as if they would never die and that they die as if they had never lived… ”Then God took my hand and we were silent for a while. –

then I asked, “What do you mean as a father, what lessons should your children definitely learn for life?” God replied with a smile: “You should learn that they cannot force anyone to love them, but what they can do, is to be loved… ..

that the most precious thing is not what they have in life, but who they have in their life ……

that comparing yourself to others is not enough. Each will be judged individually according to his own works and not in comparison with a group …

that a rich person is not the one who owns the most, but who needs the least …

they should learn that a person you love can be hurt very deeply in a few seconds, but that it takes many years to heal them again … ..

to forgive by practicing forgiveness … that they are deeply loved by some people who just don’t know how to show or express their feelings ……

that with a lot of money you can buy everything except happiness …

that two people look at the same thing and can see them completely differently …

that a real friend is someone who knows everything about you –

and still loves you …

that it is not always enough to receive forgiveness from others, but that they also have to forgive themselves… ”I sat there for a while and enjoyed the moment. I thanked him for the time and for everything he did for me and my family. He replied, “Anytime, I’m here, twenty-four hours a day. All you have to do is ask about me and I will answer. ”

Roots

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

The roots of a tree cannot be seen, but they are of the greatest importance for growth and prosperity. The roots are the solid foundation on which the tree stands, the foundation. A whole network is formed that spreads deeper and deeper in several directions underground. , When I go for a walk in the forest I see a lot of huge, big trees. Many are strong and steadfast in any weather. Storm, hot or cold weather, cannot harm them, nothing can bring them down so quickly. To be so strong, the tree needs deep roots that extend far into the earth. Through these roots, it absorbs the nutrients and water that it needs to grow.

When I transfer that to my life, I realize how important are the roots in which I am founded . Just as the roots of the tree form more and more branches over time, so it is in my life.

Where am i rooted What holds me?

  • The environment – the place where I grew up and the place where I live today
  • my parents’ house, my family values ​​that i learned, positive and negative experiences
  • my family, husband, children
  • Relationships
  • Experiences I’ve had
  • faith in God – be at home in God
  • spiritual family

It is important and very helpful and instructive for me to take a closer look at where I took root in my life. In this way I can get to know myself better, understand my own behavior and thinking patterns, let go of what is not good and stretch myself out and go deeper, like the roots of the tree, and thereby continue to grow and produce new fruit.

I personally want to habe my roots more and more in the love of God, a love that exceeds everything. A love that is so profound that I can go deeper in it all my life and yet I will never fully understand it. I am protected and anchored in his love. It guides me through every storm . I want to keep growing towards him, his presence is my home, where I am safe. I am not a single root, but a network of roots together with my brothers and sisters. In his love we are a community and together we are strong. As soon as a forest consists of several trees that strengthen each other, we also need each other.

Ulrike Nägele

Bibelverses:

“You believe in the message that has been announced to you and have placed yourself under Jesus Christ as the Lord. That is why all your behavior should be directed at him! Be rooted in him, build your life on him do not let go  from what you have been taught. You cannot thank Him enough for what God has given you! —Colossians 2: 6-7 “

” So that Christ may have his place in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and based in love, may have strength to see with all the saints how wide and long and high and deep it is, and to have knowledge of the love of Christ which is outside all knowledge, so that you may be made complete as God himself is complete. Now to him who is able to do in full measure more than all our desires or thoughts, through the power which is working in us. To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. So be it.”

Poem by Herrmann Traub:

I want to be as strong as a tree.
  Nothing should knock me down so quickly
  what gets in my way.
  I want to be as firm as a tree.
  Nothing should put me off so quickly
  from my decisions.
  Much stronger than a tree
  can be your trust.
  Much firmer than a tree
  can be your decisions
  if you rely on the Lord
  who made heaven and earth.

What i wish you (Jörg Zink)

Not that you are the most beautiful tree that stands on this earth.
 Not that you shine year after year from flowers on every branch.
 But that every now and then a branch breaks open,
 that every now and then something beautiful succeeds, a word of love finds a heart,
 I wish you.
 Not that you grow as tall as a tree, so strong and motionless.
 But that you look up now and then where the crowns are and the sky.
 That you stop and stop running.
 That you learn to stand and grow like a tree.
 Because you are not there.
 You have the strength in you that is also in the tree:
 The power to grow.
 You are still called to something.
 Stand still. look up
 and feel the power from God
 that wants to grow in you.
 I do not wish you
 that you are “free” and without people alone in the wide country.
 I wish you friends, helpful and disturbing,
 those that you need and those that need you.
 I wish you,
 that you find a hold like an ivy, on a firm trunk,
 and have the strength to be a tribe for those you are supposed to carry

Humility

Lesedauer 4 Minuten

Over the past week I have read the word humility again and again during my quiet Bible reading. That’s why I took a closer look at this topic. What does it mean to be humble and why it is so important to be humble?

The term humility comes from old high German diomuoti (‘willing to serve’, i.e. actually ‘attitude of a servant’). In the Christian context, humility denotes the creature’s attitude towards the Creator. The humble recognizes and freely accepts that there is something higher and unattainable over him. (from Wikipedia)

My thoughts:

A humble person in the christian sense shows the following characteristics

  • he believes that god exists
  • he subordinates himself to this god
  • he is ready to serve
  • he takes himself back
  • he values others more than himself
  • he recognizes his weaknesses and can accept them
  • he can accept help from God and other people
  • he can let go
  • he can confidently put his life in God’s hands and give up control
  • he does not live by his own strength, God is his strength
  • he does not live for his own honor, he wants to give glory to God with his life

The opposite of humility is pride / arrogance. A proud / haughty person has the following characteristics:

  • he doesn’t need a god, he doesn’t need to believe in a god
  • it is difficult to subordinate himself
  • he thinks more of himself than of others
  • he is proud of his strengths and can hardly accept weakness
  • he wants to do everything on his own, cannot accept outside help
  • instead of letting go, he holds on
  • he wants to have everything under control and has difficulty trusting someone
  • he has to do everything with his own strength and efforts
  • he seeks recognition for his achievements and enjoys being honored by others for it

Pride [from: stolt = splendid, stately] is the feeling of great satisfaction with oneself or with others, a respect for oneself – be it one’s own person, be it in connection with a highly respected or revered “whole”. (from Wikipedia)

Having a humble heart is very important to God, when I read the in Bible about women and men of God they all have one thing in common: humility. An example is Moses, who despite his position, which he received from God, never became arrogant, but always trusted in God, gave him the honor and did not rely on his own strengths and abilities. His own position was never more important to him than the good of others.

I think humility brings us closer to God, pride and arrogance keep us away from him. If I am humble, I know that I need God and I will ask for His help. At the end of my own strength I am ready to live from its strength. I can let go and take myself back. So God has the opportunity to work in me first. On the other hand, if I am proud / haughty, I won’t even ask for help, I try to be strong on my own, I always want to do everything myself and not make myself dependent on someone else. With such a heart, I close the door to God and i am on my own.

I find it liberating to believe in a God who has everything under control so that I can let go and let myself fall into his hand. I don’t have to do everything on my own. I can accept my mistakes and weaknesses knowing that a strong God lives in me and guides me. If I know that I am not perfect myself, I can also accept mistakes and weaknesses of my fellow human beings and not put myself higher than others, I am ready to submit and serve.

“Humility is the only way to learn to respect people” Fred Ammon

However, humility does not mean making yourself small, thinking badly of yourself, devaluing yourself, feeling inferior.

It means knowing who you are in Christ and living through his strength

I found the following Bible-verses speaking of humility:

“Lord, my heart is not proud and my eyes do not look down on others. I am not concerned with things that are too big or too wonderful for me. I am very quiet and safe, like a child with its mother. Yes “Like a child, my soul is in me” Psalm 131: 1

“In all humility and meekness, in patience. One endures the other with love” Ephesians 4: 2

“Do nothing out of self-interest or for the sake of vain honor, but in humility respect one another higher than yourself.” Philippians 2: 3

“Where there is arrogance there is shame;
but wisdom is with the humble. “Proverbs 11: 2

“Be mindful of one another. Do not seek high things, but stick to the low things. Do not think yourself wise.” Romans 12:16

“Humble yourself under the Lord, he will exalt you” James 4:10

“A man’s arrogance humiliates him, but the humble receives honor” Proverbs 29, 23

“The reward of humility and fear of the LORD
is wealth, honor and life “Proverbs 22.4

“Now humble yourself under the mighty hand of God so that he may exalt you in his time” 1. Peter 5,6

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am meek and humble from the heart; you will find rest for your souls. Because my yoke is gentle and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 39-30

“Before a fall, a man’s heart is proud;
and before you come to honor you have to be humble “Proverbs 18:12

“And he sat down and called the twelve and said to them: If anyone wants to be the first, he should be the last of all and all servants.” Mark 9:35

“And what is small in front of the world and what is despised, God has chosen what is nothing so that he can destroy what is something that no man can boast of before God” 1 Corinthians 1: 28-29

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your mind” Proverbs 3: 5

“No longer I live, but Christ in me” Galatians 3:20

“Jesus Christ says: ” My strength is powerful in the weak.” 2 Corinthians 12.9

“I can do everything through him who makes me strong.” Philippians 4:13

Generosity

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

This Bible verse brought back to my mind how good and generous our God is.

Everything I have, everything I am is given to me by God, it is not self evident and not my own merit.

Everything I see, the creation, the diversity in nature with its colors and shapes, sun-moon and stars, the animal world – everything is made wonderful and unique by God and I can live surrounded by this beauty.

Everything I smell, taste, feel testifies the generosity of God. I enjoy so many different smells, the food is also enjoyable with the many different flavors that I can taste with my tongue. God is a generous giver and he loves to give gifts to his children.

One day the bill will certainly be presented to us (poem by Lothar Zanetti)

for the sunshine
 and the rustling of the leaves,
 the gentle lily of the valley
 and the dark fir trees,
 for the snow and the wind,
 bird flight and grass
 and the butterflies,
 for the air we
 have breathed, and that
 Look at the stars
 and for all the days
 the evenings and the nights.
 
 Once it is time
 that we leave and
 pay;
 Please enter the bill.
 
 But we have it
 made without the host:
 I invited you
 he says and laughs,
 as far as the earth reaches:
 It was my pleasure!


It is God’s nature to give. He provides me with everything I need from his abundance. He is my provider. He knows my needs. God gives and gives without expectations, unconditionally.

“Because he lets his sun rise over evil and good and rains over the just and the unjust” Matthew 5.45

He ensures that we can all live. God gives voluntarily because he is good. He is love in person. He is merciful, patient, and kind.

Jesus came to earth and revealed the generosity of the Father.

But I came to give them life in full” John 10:10

He spent his time with sinners and people on the margins of society and was ready to forgive them their sins. He was an encourager and always had uplifting words for people by talking about the Kingdom of God. He cared for the people, turned water into wine, saturated 5000 people with 5 breads and 2 fish and he healed people from their illnesses and ailments. In the end he was ready to give his life for us so that we could have eternal life with the father.

 “Because God loved the world so much that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him is not lost, but has eternal life” John 3:16

When I think of what God has already done for me, everything that He has done and worked in my life, my heart is filled with gratitude and joy,

“Praise the LORD my soul and do not forget what he has done you good” Psalm 103: 2

and I want to learn from God to be generous myself:

to be generous with my time: to give away time to my friends
To be generous in my words: encourage others
To be generous in material matters: To give someone a gift, to help when someone is in financial need to donate part of my money.
to be generous with joy and gratitude

“So everyone should decide for himself how much he wants to give, voluntarily and not out of a sense of duty. Because God loves him who gives happily” 2 Corinthians 9: 7

Overcome doubts

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

Today I want to share my thoughts on the annual slogan with you.

“I believe – help my unbelief” Mark 9.24

This passage from the Gospel of Mark deals with a father who takes his seriously ill son to the disciples of Jesus to be healed. When these could not help him, he met Jesus. With his disappointment, he was faced with the decision of trusting Jesus and believing that healing was possible. He was torn and doubts and uncertainty overwhelmed him. He was a believer, knew Jesus and had seen and seen many miracles that Jesus had done. Still, thoughts of unbelief came over him. In desperation, he cried out to Jesus: “I believe help my unbelief”.

Faith and doubt are close together. I think we all know situations like this. Challenges, crises, sudden fate, illness or unheard-of prayers can raise questions and doubts. When in doubt, Satan wants to keep us from believing.

I think to doubt is human, but I shouldn’t remain in doubt and protect and preserve my heart from thoughts of unbelief and not let my belief be robbed. The father with his sick child did not let doubt win, he fought against him. “Help my unbelief.” He brought his doubts to Jesus and asked him for help. I cannot overcome doubts alone, I need God’s help and grace.

From the annual slogan I can read the following: Faith is a decision and a gift at the same time. I cannot produce faith myself, faith is given to me by God. Faith is a power given by God.

“Because God is so gracious, He saved you by faith. And that is not your own merit; it is a gift from God. ”Ephesians 2: 8-9

But to accept this gift and let myself be taken by faith is my decision. God first loved me and worked in my life and when I open my heart to it, recognize and accept his love, faith arises.

How can I strengthen my faith even in difficult situations, grow in faith?

    Prayer: I can come to God in prayer and ask him to take the doubt away and to believe me. I can look at him in prayer.

“The God of Hope but fill you with all joy and peace in the belief that you will become ever richer in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit”

    Let go and give away: Jesus says we should come to him with all our burdens and bring them to the cross. Doubts, worries or fears are also burdens that Jesus carried for you and me.
    Gratitude and praise: I can remember what God has done in my life and what miracles He has already done.

“Praise the LORD my soul, and do not forget what he has done you good” Psalm 103: 2

Praise directs my gaze away from doubt towards Jesus.

    Reading the Bible: The Word of God is a powerful weapon against doubt. I can read in it how great and almighty God is, for him nothing is impossible. I can make God’s promises against my thoughts of unbelief.

“Because the Word of God is alive and strong and sharper than any double-edged sword and penetrates until it separates soul and spirit, also marrow and leg, and is a judge of the thoughts and senses of the heart. “Hebrews 4:12

    Worship: Preaching and interpreting the Word strengthens my faith.

“It remains: faith comes from hearing the message; and this is based on what Christ said “Romans 10:17

    Intercession: I can ask my brothers and sisters to pray for me and to believe for me where I have doubts. How valuable it is to have people at my side who encourage and pray for me.

With this armor I can resist doubt and defeat it successfully.

We don’t need a big belief, just a belief in a great God. (James Hudson Taylor)

“If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain: Get out of there!” And it will rise. And nothing will be impossible for you ”Matthew 17:20

“But the Lord said: If you have faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry fig tree: uproot yourself and plant yourself in the sea! And he would obey you ”Luke 17.6