Do you believe in miracles?

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

What are miracles? Miracles are inexplicable phenomena and extraordinary events that astonish us. It can be a surprise, a happy turn in life, a cure, preservation or a natural wonder.

Whether we recognize and perceive miracles, depends on our point of view and above all on our faith. When we do not have faith, we take miracles as coincidences or luck, or we take for granted what is actually a miracle. We can live like nothing is a miracle or like everything is a miracle. Erich Kästner writes in a quote:

“Those who believe in miracles experience miracles”

When I look at the world and think about my life, everything is actually a miracle for me. Starting with the fact, that there is a huge galaxy with so many stars and planets, that there is the earth and life on it, to the miracle of man, who is made ingenious and unique. I think the lyrics of Alexa Feser’s song “Wunderfinder” are appropriate. She sings in the chorus:

“Are you a miracle child or blind to miracles? Tell me if you understand that we are a miracle. This world is getting more and more blind to miracles, if you can see them, you are a wonderfinder. “

If I keep my eyes open, I can discover miracles every day. For me miracles are signs of God’s presence and his actions. God shows himself in them and says to me “I am there”. Miracles happen, I just have to see them. Numerous miracles of God are reported in the Bible, in God’s Word:

Passage of the people of Israel through the Red Sea Exodus 16-22

Transformation of water into wine at the wedding in Cana John 2: 1-12

Calming the storm Markus 4.35-41

Jesus walks in the sea John 6: 16-21

Healing of the man born blind John 9: 1-7

Feeding the 5000 John 6: 1-15

Raising Lazarus from the dead John 11, 32-45

Jesus’ resurrection John 20, 1-10

Signs and wonders still happen today.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” Hebrews 13: 8

Where our possibilities end, God’s possibilities begin. Our hopelessness is the starting point for God’s work. Faith is the key to experiencing miracles. God is supernatural and responds to our beliefs.

“All things are possible to him who believes” Mark 9:23

Therefore, let’s expect miracles and be thankful for miracles great and small that God does every day.

  • Every time the sun comes up a miracle happens
  • Every time I watch nature I see a miracle
  • Every time a child is born a miracle happens
  • Every time people reconcile, forgive one another, a miracle happens
  • Every time a prayer is answered a miracle happens
  • Every time we experience protection a miracle happens
  • Every time God gives us his peace, a miracle happens
  • Every time God frees us from worries and burdens, a miracle happens
  • Every time God opens new doors for us, shows us new possibilities, a miracle happens
  • Every time people understand God’s love and accept His grace, a miracle happens
  • It is God who works miracles, innumerable many, so great that we cannot understand them

Keep peace

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

When my heart trusts in you
and i look at your love
I find peace, I find peace
I can defeat storm and waves
In the midst of turbulent times
Your presence will always be with me.
Even in the greatest uncertainty
with you is peace always.
My troubled heart becomes still and comes to rest
for the God who keeps my peace is you.
(Ulrike Nägele)



On the subject of peace, I recently read the following story:

“Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to give an award to the artist who painted him the most fitting picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all of the pictures, but there were only two that he really liked; he had to choose between them.

In one picture there was a calm lake, in which the peaceful mountain landscape towering around it was perfectly reflected. Above it a blue sky with fluffy white clouds spread out. Whoever looked at this picture must have thought it was perfect peace.

In the other picture there were mountains too, but they were rugged and bare, and above them a raging sky with flashing lightning and heavy rain. In the back of the picture a foaming waterfall tumbled down. None of this looked very peaceful. But behind the waterfall the king discovered a small bush that grew in a crevice. A mother bird had built her nest in the bush. There, in the midst of the raging water, the mother bird sat perfectly peacefully in her nest.

What do you think? Which picture won the award? The king chose the second picture.

“’Because peace does not mean,’ said the King, deeply moved, ‘to be in a place of perfect calm, free from anger and stressful work, but to remain calm in all of this. That is the real meaning of peace. ‹”

I like this story because it explains so well the real meaning of peace. Peace does not mean that the external circumstances are good, that there are no difficulties and problems to be overcome, that we have no challenges, but rather to find inner peace in the midst of stressful circumstances, uncertainty, chaos and turmoil.

Looking to Jesus we can come to this peace. In his presence there is peace, yes, he himself is peace. Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.

Nothing and no one else can give us this peace. Trust in God is the key to that peace.



“I am restless, but by you is peace” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

“In the daily rush, in our work, in all situations of natural life, it belongs to us: the unshakable, inviolable peace of Jesus.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

I found this peace in the presence of God, in a relationship with Jesus. I experience him in the community and the encounter with him when I direct my thoughts on him instead of looking at my worries or problems. And I want to chase after this peace again and again, because sooner than I thought, peace will be stolen from me again. In order to remain in his peace, I am allowed to come to Jesus anew every day, let him give me presents, unpack his gift of peace and accept it for myself. Every day I can make the decision to trust him completely, to focus my heart on him, to let go of everything that is difficult and to believe that he will keep my peace.



“I told you all this so that you would have peace in me. Here on earth you will experience many difficult things. But have courage, for I have overcome the world. ”John 16:33

“Do not worry about anything, but in all things let your requests be made known to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving! And the peace of God, which is higher than all reason, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ”Philippians 4: 6-7

Refuel in god´s presence

Lesedauer 2 Minuten

Last Wednesday I wrote about the importance of goals in life, keeping your eyes on the goal and approaching it. In order to achieve our goal, we must not forget one thing: stop and refuel again and again, otherwise we will stop halfway. If we are traveling by car and want to reach our holiday destination, for example, we need a full tank and if the warning light comes on that we are on reserve, we have to fill up.
There are times in which i am driving with my reserve tank. If I want to achieve my goal through actionism by doing as much as possible, I notice how my batteries are draining, I feel tired and weak and I can’t get any further.
An athlete, for example, cannot constantly train hard, also needs breaks and regeneration, rest and a healthy diet so that his body can replenish nutrients.
Fatigue, lack of strength, lack of joy, depressed mood are warning signals for me and a sign that I am running on the back burner and that I have forgotten the most important thing: refuel.
Even in spiritual life there is a danger that we want to achieve our goals through as much effort and effort as possible and forget that it is primarily about our being and our relationship with God.
That is why our petrol stations are so important in life. Our petrol stations are stops that rebuild us and give us new energy.
What are your stations?
A good conversation
An encounter with friends
enough sleep
Move
healthy eating
music
nature
God has given us an oasis to refuel, which is there for all situations and for all people: in Psalm 36 we find it:


With you is the source of life and in your light we see the light. Psalm 36:10
With God I can refuel, rest in his presence and be filled.

There are always smaller or larger dry spells in life. Jesus offers me to come to him with my thirst, he gives me this water for free. I need this water of life not only in emergency situations, but every day in the smallest challenges of everyday life, because I am not perfect and I always do everything right. Jesus knows me with all my mistakes and weaknesses. He knows everything and in all of this gives me his unconditional love.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said:

Come all to me who are tired and bear heavy burdens, I will give you rest.
John 4:14

But whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never be thirsty forever, but the water that I will give him will become in him a source of water that swells in eternal life


If we live from his strength and do not rely solely on our strength, he will lead us to the goal.


“He will bring you to your destination, give you strength and strength and ensure that you stand firm and secure” 1 Peter 5:10


Time with God, in his presence, reading the Bible – his word, renews our thoughts, gives us strength, strength, calm, peace and joy. Just as the battery is recharged every day for a cell phone, we can also recharge our batteries, recharge our batteries and let ourselves be fulfilled every day from our relationship with God.

Goals

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

Having goals is important. In life we ​​always set ourselves new goals, big and small. Graduation, job, starting a family, sporting goals, building a house or apartment – buying – renting, climbing a mountain, eating healthy, etc. No matter what it is to set goals in all areas of our life gives us orientation and direction. Where do I want to go? What do I want to achieve? The goal is the guide. Focusing on a goal helps me not to be distracted, to stay tuned and to do everything possible to achieve it.

Above all, it motivates me to have a goal in view, because then I know exactly why I’m doing something. If a student has set the goal of learning a certain profession, he knows why he has to go to school and learn every day. If a runner has set himself the goal of running a marathon, he knows why he has to train hard. If I aim to be fit and in shape, I know why I should change my diet and move.

A clear goal in mind helps us to walk the path. This makes it easier for us to overcome difficulties and obstacles, our motivation is greater, we act in a goal-oriented manner. Desires and dreams increase our joy of life, aimlessness often leads to dissatisfaction.

In addition to the worldly goals that man sets, there is, however, a higher goal, an imperishable goal. God the Father, our Creator gives us this goal. Every person is created by God and has a purpose given by God, a specific purpose. God created us in his likeness and God is essentially a relationship. God is father, son and holy spirit, related to each other. This is how people are made for relationships.

“Even before the creation of the world in Christ, God made us out of love to be holy before him and freed us from guilt. From the beginning it was his unchanging plan to receive us through Jesus Christ as his children, and he had great joy in this decision ”Ephesians 1: 4

The goal is fellowship with God, that’s why we are in the world. Sin caused separation from God. Sin also means missing the target. Man turned from God and went his own way, pursued his own goals instead of living in his God-given destiny. Through Jesus, who accepted sin for us humans and paid for it with death on the cross, everyone has the opportunity to reconcile with God and to go towards the goal of communion with God. Paul describes this goal in the Philippians:

“It is clear to me that I have still not achieved all of this and that I am still not there. But I do everything I can to take it because I am touched by Jesus Christ. As I said, my dear brothers and sisters, I know exactly: I have not yet reached my goal. But one thing is certain: I want to forget what’s behind me and just look at the goal in front of me. I run with all my strength to win the victory price, life in God’s glory. Because God called us to do this through Jesus Christ. ”Philippians 3,12-14

God gave Paul a new goal in his life: a life in the loving presence of God. This allowed him to realign his life and live for the glory of God.

” With (Jesus) Christ the goal that the law is about has been reached: everyone who believes in him is declared righteous. “(The Bible, Romans 10: 4)

And so I can set my priorities again and again. Stop and realign my goals. Where do I want to go, what do I orientate myself to? Keep my eyes on Jesus and take off everything that would distract me from my goal. In the determination and for the goal to live for which I was created, my heart fills with an inner joy that nobody can take from me and that is not dependent on external circumstances,

“Always rejoice that you belong to the Lord. And once again I want to say it: rejoice! “Philippians 4: 4

and with a peace that the world does not know.

“God’s peace, which exceeds all our understanding, will keep your hearts and minds because you are connected with Jesus Christ” Philippians 4: 7

Eastern

Lesedauer < 1 Minute

The night turns into day

the darkness to the light,

the grave is empty,

Jesus speaks:

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live even if he dies. ”John 11:25

Despair turns into hope

weakness becomes strength,

Jesus brings us forgiveness and reconciliation,

he speaks on the cross:

“It is done” John 19:28

Sadness turns into joy

from the end a new beginning,

his death brings life

God’s plan from the beginning.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

The way is prepared because Jesus lives

in his presence and love

all our suffering passes

he carried all our burdens and sickness,

full of humility and without complaints.

“The Father saved us from the reign of darkness and put us in the kingdom of his son, his love, in which we have redemption, through his blood the forgiveness of sins.” 1 Colossians 1, 13-14

The way is clear in God’s presence,

his love won.

The enemy’s power broke in two,

Jesus has conquered evil.

Nothing and nobody can separate us from his love now

the relationship restored.

If we believe in him in faith,

we overcome the world together with him.

His kingdom remains forever.

Let’s turn our hearts to him

God’s love will never end

and will turn all things to good.

He did all of this because of grace,

for everyone who accepts the gift in faith.

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

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)