Tag: faith

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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)

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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

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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

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Blessed Christmas

Lesedauer < 1 Minute

Dear readers and friends

I wish everyone a merry, happy Christmas.

Jesus is born, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, for every person who accepts this gift in his heart for himself

I wish all of us that we can be amazed at the miracle of the birth of Jesus and that we give him room in our hearts, that we recognize the impact his coming has for the world and for us personally. May Jesus find a place in our heart to live in it and to enlighten us with his light

” I came into the world as light so that anyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness. “

I wish that we could be happy about the gift of his love, his grace, his peace. Joy should fill us up because God loves us so much.

“And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid! Behold, I proclaim to you great joy that will befall all people ” Luke 2,10

“Because a child was born to us, a son given to us, and the rule rests on his shoulder, and his name is called : Wonderful Counselor, Strong God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace”

I hope that our faith will become stronger and stronger and we grow in the knowledge of God’s love for us.

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

Zitat von Angelus Silesius

Angelus Siselius „ And would Christ be born a thousand times Born in Bethlehem, and not in you: you were lost forever.

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God does extraordinary things through ordinary people

Lesedauer 6 Minuten

Reading the Christmas story in the Bible, this year especially Mary, the mother of Jesus, moved me and I thought about her person and her role in God’s great plan.

What do we read about Mary in the Bible?

Maria was an ordinary young girl from Nazareth. She was a housewife and was engaged to the carpenter Josef. She had grown up in poor conditions. She had dreams and plans like many other girls of that age. One day the angel of the Lord appeared to her with a greeting and told her that she would get pregnant and give birth to a son to whom she should give the name Jesus. This Jesus will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High and his kingdom will never perish. We can imagine how scared Maria must have been. She was probably very scared. The angel said to her:

“Do not be afraid, because you have found grace in God.” Luke 1:30

Since Mary was still a virgin, she asked the angel how all this could happen. The angel answered

“The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child you will give birth to will be holy and will be called the Son of God ”Luke 1,35

He told her about Elisabeth, who was pregnant in her old age and was now in the 6th month.

“Because with God nothing is impossible” Luke 1.37

When reading the story, I am particularly moved by Maria’s answer. She answered:

“I am the servant of the Lord and I bow to His will. May everything you said come true and happen to me. ”Luke 1:38

Mary was chosen by God, although she had nothing special to show, in the eyes of society at that time she certainly seemed unsuitable for carrying out an important task for God. She was young, poor and a woman.

What are the characteristics of Mary that have led God to implement His plan through her?

    Mary was a believer, knew and lived the Old Testament scriptures, and knew about the prophets’ predictions about the birth of Jesus.

“Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin is pregnant and will give birth to a son, whom she will call Immanuel. “Isaiah 7.14

When Jesus was born in the Bethlehem stable and the shepherds came to Mary and Joseph and told that they had received the message from the angel that this child was the promised Savior and Messiah, there was no doubt in Mary’s mind.

“But Maria kept all these things in her heart and often thought about them” Luke 2:19

    Maria trusted God
    Maria was willing to make herself available to God
    Maria had love for God
    Maria was obedient
    Maria had a yes to God’s plan for her life
    Maria was a servant of God
    Maria was full of sacrifice and devotion
    Maria was loyal
    Maria was fearful of God
    Maria was humble

Maria realized that God would do great things through her life, yet she was not proud or arrogant. Maria knew that this story was not about her, but something much bigger. She did not consider herself special, she had no special honorary position, she was aware that she too was a person who needed a Redeemer. Mary herself gives all honor, adoration, admiration, praise, worship to her God. This is expressed in her song of praise to God:

“My soul praises the greatness of the Lord / and my spirit rejoices over God my Savior. / Because he looked at the lowness of his maid. / Behold, from now on all genders blessedly praise me. / Because the mighty has done great things to me and his name is sacred. / He has compassion from gender to gender for all who fear him. / He performs powerful deeds with his arm: / He scatters who are arrogant in the heart; / he overthrows the mighty and heightens the low. / He gives gifts to the hungry and leaves the rich empty-handed. / He takes care of his servant Israel and thinks of his mercy / / which he has promised to our fathers, Abraham and his descendants forever. “Luke 1, 46-55

I can learn from Mary that God wants to use each of us and has a special task for everyone. Maria was a person like us, she heard God’s speech and acted accordingly. Your willingness was important to make God’s calling come true for your life. Besides her, God has called many ordinary people to make extraordinary things come true. Maria was important, but everyone is important to God.

“While he was still speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted:” Happy is your mother who gave birth to you and nourished your breasts! “But he replied:” Yes, but happy are all who hear an do the word of god “

“When he was still talking to the people, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to talk to him. Then one said to him, Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside and want to speak to you. But he answered and said to him who told him: Who is my mother and who are my brothers? And he stretched out his hand over his disciples and said: Behold, this is my mother and these are my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. Matthew 12.46-50

What we can still learn from Mary is prayer. In the story of the wedding at Canaa. When the wine ran out, Mary turned to Jesus because she knew that he could help.

“Jesus replied to her: Woman, this is MY thing, not yours. MY hour has not yet come ”John 2: 4

Mary herself could not do miracles, it was God’s business, but Mary expected the miracle from Jesus:

“She speaks to the servants: What He tells you does” John 2: 5

For me, Mary is a role model in her faith, her humility, her devotion, her loyalty, her sacrifice, in her trust, in her obedience, in her love, in her willingness, in her humility, in her fear of God and in her yes to God. No more and no less. It shows me that God alone deserves all worship and honor for what he can do in us humans. That is why I do not worship her and for me she is not an intermediary or advocate with God. My mediator and advocate with the Father is only Jesus.

“Because there is a God and an intermediary between God and man, namely the man Christ Jesus” 1 Timothy 2: 5

We can ask ourselves today:

    Are we ready to listen to God’s speech, give ourselves to him, do we have a yes to HIS plan in our lives?
    Do we also believe that God can do great things in our lives?
    Are we ready to make ourselves available to God and to be obedient?
    Do we also believe and trust in God’s miracles?
    Is our heart also open to the love of God?
    Are we also humble to make sacrifices for God?
    Are we willing to serve faithfully?
    Are we ready to submit to God, to worship and praise Him for what He is and does?

God wants to use you and me to make His glory visible in the world.

Finally, a text by Peter Reid:

Every time I say, “Jesus, I can’t do that,” Jesus says, “I know, but I can.” Every time I say, “Jesus, I am not capable”, he says: “So what? I am capable. “And every time you say:” Jesus, it is not me “, then Jesus says:” Don’t worry! I am “. It doesn’t depend on you. It all comes down to Jesus! And the next time you think you have an excuse for why God can’t use you, think of the following people I’m listing now: Noah got drunk. Abraham was too old. Isaac was a day dreamer. Jakob was a liar. Lea was ugly. Josef was mistreated. Moses was a murderer – like David and Paul. Deborah was a female judge. Gideon was scared. Samson even had long hair. Rahab was a prostitute. David was too young – by the way, like Jeremiah and Timothy. David pretended to be insane – had an affair and ran away from his son; Elia was a suicide candidate. Jeremiah was depressed. Isaiah preached naked. Jonah ran away from God and Naomi was a widow. Job lost everything. John the Baptist ate grasshoppers. Peter was angry. Johannes was self righteous. The disciples slept while praying. Matthew was a thief. Simeon was fanatical. Martha took care of everything. Maria was lazy; Maria Magdalena was demon-obsessed. The boy with the fish and bread was unknown – until today. The Samaritan slept with several men. Zacchaeus was too small. Paul was alone. Markus gave up. Timothy had an ulcer and Lazarus was dead. What is your excuse? Please give me one more reason why God can’t use you? God wants and can use you! Certainly not because you are so great. But because he gave you a new life: And that is Christ in you. And from his strength you can learn to live.