BeThankfulAlways

Encourage and share with each other daily thankfulness. I am just an ordinary person, that believes in the practise of regular thankfulness to God. And would love to hear your stories.

[bethankfulalways]

Joseph's sneak peak

Most of us will know the story of Jospeh, Jacobs favourite son.

If you don't know it, you can read it in Genesis chapter 37, 39-46.

Joseph is called the dream master, as he was a master of dream interpretation; but actually it was not him doing the interpretation but God, as he pointed out himself: "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Gen. 40:8)

But one thing was odd to me in the story. Whilst he was such a good dream interpreter through God, he did not interpret his own dreams.

Reading the bible, it were his brothers and his father that did the interpretation of his own dreams, he just told them his dreams. But the meaning of his dreams were quite obvious, that his brothers, and his father and mother were bowing down to him.

Not so obvious was when and how this was to take place. And God did not interpret his dream at this time.

Because Joseph was favoured by Jacob his father over his brothers, they hated him. Which led to a line of events of hardships to Joseph, being sold into slavery by his brothers. And through all these hardships Joseph prevailed, because the Lord was with him. (Gen. 39:2, 39:21)

But Joseph also did get a sneak peak of his future in his dreams and that was good enough for him to withstand all the hardships he had to go through, to keep his spirits up and to do the best that he could in every situation. Never to lose hope, never to give up. He believed that God had something in store for him, that his future would be bright some day. But that did not mean that there were no difficult times in between.

We also have a sneak peak. We have the book of Revelation to get us through the hard times, to have something to look forward to. As Billy Graham quoted: "I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right."

This does not mean there will be no hardships in our life, quite contrary. But it is our hope, our sneak peak, that it will all end well.

“And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Whilst the Israelites had the sign of Jonah while they waited for the Messiah;

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

so we have now the sign of Noah while we wait for the coming of the Son of Man

“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:37-39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We need to be ready and hopeful, at all times, in all situations and through all hardships of our life. Because we can, we have our sneak peak, we know it is all ending well. And most of all we have the grace of our merciful Lord to get us through it.

Immanuel, God with us.

[bethankfulalways]

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a wonderful event to celebrate.

To remember and give thanks for all that we have and all that we are.

We are blessed in so many ways, yet we have a tendency to get accustomed to all that we have. We take things, people or events for granted. Believe that we deserve all good things that happen to us. Or even worse, that we ourselves can take gratitude for all that we own and have achieved.

We like to forget that all these things could be taken away from us in an instant.

Life can throw all kinds of hurdles and hardships onto us.

It is therefore important for us to understand and to learn that whilst we can be thankful for all that we have and are, since they are real blessing from God; but that our true gratitude should be to God.

Not only did we choose and love God, he chose and loved us first. He is our rock, our redeemer, our salvation, our comforter, our healer and so much more. He is love and he choose to love us first. (“We love because he first loved us.” - 1 John‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Let's examine our hearts and see what treasures we store in them.

Are our interests in worldly things? Or do we treasure God's love in our hearts?

We are what we are because of God and because of his great mercy, grace and love for us.

When we realise this and give thanks to God for choosing and loving us with all our heart and might, our hearts will be filled with so much love and joy, that our heart feels like it wants to jump out of our chest. We can not stop to tell about all that we feel and all the wonderful things that we experienced and received. We want to tell God and the whole world about it.

This is when evangelising works at its best, because it comes from the heart, is not controlled by our mind. Other people can feel when our words and actions come truly from our heart.

Praise the Lord, and give thanks to God with all our heart. Share with God and the whole world our thankfulness and the wonderful deeds that he has done for us.

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." - Psalm‬ ‭9:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[bethankfulalways]

Hardship

Most of us will experience dire hardship some time in our life on this earth.

So dire that we have no idea how we will be able to bear the pain, situation, bad news. No idea how we could possibly continue on with our life.

This is when we stop seeing the horizon, when our hope crumbles right in front of us. When we do not not what to do, when no scenario in our head leads to a satisfying positive solution. When we realise, we do not know anymore which way to turn.

When our pain is so constant and all consuming. And this can be physically as well as mentally.

How do we find hope again in a situation like this? In a moment when all hope appears to have been drained into a bottomless pit.

When we feel alone, without hope, without reason to live, when we feel we do not have the strength to go on any longer. Life in itself feels insurmountable.

And it is not just non believers that may feel this way. Anybody, even believers can feel this way.

That is because life on this earth is hard. Jesus did not come to make peace on this earth. Some of us may never find peace on this earth.

(“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” - Luke‬ ‭12:51‬ ‭NIV‬‬). Jesus proclaimed that that there would be enmity in each relationship. He did not come to create peace on earth, but he came to make peace with God for us. Only through God we can find true peace.

Jesus came to give us hope. Hope that some day all our pain, sorrow and hardship will turn to rejoicing. That all our hardships will not be in vain.

We have to hold on to God and trust in the Lord; to trust that he has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Plans to give us hope and a future.

( “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬).

God's way is so much higher than ours, there is no way we are able to understand and comprehend his plans. We do not see where this path will lead us, where it will end. But we can trust that there will be rejoicing at the end of this path.

If we submit to God, he will make our paths straight. Maybe not the way we expect him to. But if we trust in the Lord with all our heart and do not lean on our own understanding, he will hear our prayers. If we submit to him in all our ways, he will guide us to life everlasting.

The moment we seek God with all our heart, he will listen to us. He will listen to our prayers. He will give our heart new hope. He will rest our soul, so that we are able to face each new day. So that we will have the strength to face all things that life may throw at us.

Some of us may not want to put their trust in God. They prefer to rely on their own strength to make it through. How foolish we humans can be. Why would we try to fight our fight each and every day on our own, if we do not have to? From where would we draw strength to keep on going? Who would guide us into the right direction? We would be like Don Quichotte, fighting the windmills. Having no understanding who really our enemy is. Giving each day more room for evil to enter into our heart.

Or they will fall prey to drugs and other mood enhancing drugs. But this is just another way of running away from life, not having to face life. How could this ever turn life to the better, if we do not face our fight?

God has the wisdom that we lack. Only he can guide us into the right direction.

Our life on this earth may be hard. But it is even harder without God on our side.

Only with God on our side we can win the battle, only with him we can fight the uphill struggle. Only he can give us true peace and hope.

And it does not matter at which point of our life we are right now. Our God is a God of grace and mercy and love.

At each moment in our life we can turn to him, regardless of our past. The moment we turn to God, seek him with all our heart, he will listen to us. He will hear our heartfelt prayers and laments; and he will guide us in his great grace and mercy towards him. He will show us which way to turn and what steps to take, as long as we trust him completely.

Because there is no division anymore between us and God. Christ died for our sins and all our shortcomings. He built the bridge between us and God.

All we have to do is trust and believe and the rest will come. God will welcome us back with open arms. Step by step will he guide us towards hope, peace and everlasting life, if we let him.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[bethankfulalways]

I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him

The British novelist Julian Barnes wrote, “I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him.”

For me this is the perfect description of non-believers.

Whilst many do not believe in God, they still experience this gaping hole within them.

This feeling that there is something missing; something difficult to put into words or to describe. Some call it the 'God shaped hole' which I find is a fitting description.

The apostle John writes: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” - John‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NIV

We all have been born through our biological parents. But they also were just mere human beings. Whilst we have inherited much from our parents, be it through genetical means, through experience, through education, or simply things that we inherit from them; they are all just earthly things, things from this world. Things that can enrich our life, but not give our life true meaning.

At some time in our life we all come to the point where we question the true meaning of our life. This regardless of our stand in life, or our place in society.

We start to wonder why are we on this earth? What is our purpose?

Surely it can not be, just to have more. More money, more friends, more sexual relationships, more possessions, more alcohol, more acknowledgement, more power, more, more, more.

This is a spiral with no end. And not an upward spiral, even though we are fooled to believe the lie that it is bringing us more happiness.

It is only once we achieve what we were aiming for, that we feel this emptiness within us. Instead of feeling solely great joy for that what we have anticipated for so long, we also feel this nagging emptiness within us that we can not explain or put into words.

So what do we do about this feeling?

That's right, we just find another goal that we strife wholeheartedly towards. Something else, something more, something that we think we need.

Because we can not cope with this empty feeling within us. We do not want to be quiet, sit down and listen to our heart and soul. We need distraction, constant distraction, so we do not have to deal with our inner emptiness. So we do not have to face the truth. Because what's in our heart is where our treasure lies.

Not realising, if the devil can not make us bad, he will make us busy.

So we try to fill our life with earthly things, things generated and made by pure humans. By humans that are just like us, sinful, incomplete, unwise and imperfect.

Humans made from flesh, from nothing but dust.

We build our life on sand and not on rock. Because the human nature is an unstable one, we keep on changing, adjusting and being influenced through many bad influences, make many bad decisions.

Again and again we have to learn in life, that people we thought we could rely on blindly, will let us down. It is in our nature, we are lacking wisdom, love, grace, mercy and hope. Instead we are full of envy, hate, mischief, and a very deep longing for something missing deep down within us.

By origination we long to be and long to have that what we are missing. We are missing all the things that we are not. And all this is nothing money can buy.

True happiness and joy do not come from this world. They are spiritual.

And just as flesh is born from flesh, so the spirit is born by the spirit.

We will never be able to fill this nagging emptiness within us through earthly things. Nothing in this current world will be able to fill this gap.

So, what do think could fill this gap?

What do you know that holds pure love, grace, mercy, peace and wisdom? What will give us strength, hope and purpose in this fallen world?

For me only one solution comes to mind. God.

God in all its love. Only the Spirit of God can set us free. Only he can fill the emptiness within us and complete us.

Surely we can live without God's Spirit within us. After all, most people in this world do.

But why would we want to?

We have basically only two options.

We either live our life self independently. Are self directed, focused on ourselves and our needs alone and with our goal to worship and desire all this world has to offer for us, to follow our meagre and shallow dreams and to self proclaim ourselves; with the unavoidable end to self destruct. On this path we are going it ultimately alone, we will have to fight our fights without support, we will have to experience our grief without comfort, our soul will not experience healing, we will never experience true love and joy. We will be exactly the way we feel, alone and with an emptiness within us.

On the other side, we can choose faith. A believe in a faithful God. A never changing, always loving, always graceful and merciful God. A God that will never ever desert us, never fail us, never leave us alone. He will comfort us in our sorrow, he will strengthen us when we need it, he will fight for us in the times of need, he will forgive our truthfully repented sins a million times over, he will heal our broken souls, he will give us peace to our mind and soul, he will teach us wisdom and will fulfil dreams we never ever dared to dream of. And he will give us all the love and hope that we need to live in this harsh world. And he will give our life a true purpose. We will never ever be alone again, and never have to feel this deep emptiness within us, because we are made whole again.

The choice is ours to make. Our God is a God of free will. He will come to those who seek him, who call his name, because he will never forsake us.

So which is your choice? Is your Ego more important than your inner cry for joy? More important than the healing of your soul? More important than the fulfilling of your true destiny?

For me the choice is clear. Because there is nothing to loose and so much to gain.

“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” - John‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[bethankfulalways]

Covet

Thou shalt not covet, Full Stop.

Gods command to us makes it clear that even our thoughts can be sin.

Not only if we act on our sinful thoughts we commit sin. The sinning starts in our mind. Because we worship what's in our heart and mind.

It is important to distinguish between thoughts that may cross our mind but do not come from our heart. Only if they come from the heart as well, there where our treasure lies, we become sinners for our sinful thoughts.

Because we will reap what we sow.

It may all start very small and innocent. We like something we see. Something that people around us, or that we encounter, own or posses. We want the same. Something like envy builds in us. Why should we not also deserve the same? Surely we deserve the same, if not much more. Because we could think of many reasons why we would be deserving.

So we put all our effort into it, to get what we want. To get what our neighbour has and more. Money can buy anything nowadays. There are no limits.

We can always compare ourselves to our neighbour, as we move up in the world. And just as we grow in our own standing, we move up in the world. The more we have, the more we want, because there will always be somebody that has more than us.

The want never ever has to stop. Money can buy anything, there are no limits.

Money will also attract others around us. There will be people who are willing to do anything, just to be in the company of money.

So who could stop us? Even if I want the wife of my neighbour, or of somebody else. It is not an issue, anything is for sale. Money can buy the world.

This is a true fact. Money can buy anything in this world.

But it can not buy true love. If you believe you can buy true love, you are just kidding yourself.

Money can not buy joy.

And it certainly can not buy the way into eternity, into heaven.

Money alone will not make us happy.

The only thing that can make us truly happy is a joyful heart.

We all know this aching feeling deep inside us, that urge that can never be satisfied through something material.

This feeling inside us that can not even be filled by somebody that we love more than our own life itself.

This feeling deep inside of us, it yearns to be filled. But nothing from this world will ever be able to fill it.

This very special shaped form within us, it yearns to be filled through a spirit. The Holy Spirit. Only if our body becomes a temple for the Holy of Holies, we can truly experience joy in our life's. Only then we will be able to understand what it means to be completely satisfied.

It is our choice which path we trot on, and with what we want to fill our heart with. It is up to us what will control our heart, mind and soul.

It is our decision if we want to sin or not. But be not fooled, the first temptation will lead us to destruction and death, if we continue to follow this path. It is the first step. Our first sin, that becomes the stepping stone. How many more follow is up to us.

Before God sin is sin, it does not matter if we acted on it, or just carried this thought in our heart and mind.

But just as we started it, we can also stop it.

At any stage and at any time in our life, we can turn around and stop what we are doing. Because one wrong does not have to be followed by another wrong.

We can stop anywhere and anytime and turn our life around.

We can repent for our sins and turn our back to our sinful lives. Our God is a merciful and faithful God and will welcome his prodigal son or daughter back. He is patiently waiting on us.

Because there is no more joyful experience for God than to welcome his lost and helpless children back into his flock.

It is your choice. What is more important to you, to continue to covet for things you do not own yet for the rest of your life? Or to live joyful ever after for eternity?

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” - Exodus‬ ‭20:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[bethankfulalways]

Fellowship

True fellowship comes from the heart.

We all notice if other people around us, give us their full attention or are distracted. We notice if we are fully welcome or just a point on somebody else's agenda.

Communication is largely expressed by our mimic, our body posture and our mood. The voice we use, if we speak loud or quiet and the way we speak. Also by the location and time that we may choose when we communicate. Only the smallest part of of our communication happens through words.

So we notice when somebody really wants our company and really enjoys the community with us.

Right after Pentecost the disciples continued to go to the temple in Jerusalem. After all, this was their fathers house. Here they were able grow the Christian fellowship rapidly.

Yet the celebration and deepening of the fellowships were performed at home in a private setting.

At home is where we welcome our guests and get to know each other better, where we can communicate freely and where we can relax.

It was in a home where the disciples broke bread together and ate together. Eating together is a wonderful way to experience fellowship with others.

Breaking the bread in remembrance of what Jesus has done for us, as a way of remembering that first celebration of both His sacrifice on the cross and the institution of the New Covenant in His blood

But breaking bread together is also seen as making peace with each other and only if we are in peace with each other, we are willing to invite people to share a meal with us. It is a beautiful picture of Christian unity, love and fellowship.

It is also a way of social integration. Because it does not matter what's our background, our race, our social standing or other. Bridges can be build, and everybody can experience inclusion. And we all can learn so much from each other. Support each other, teach each other, share with each other, celebrate with each other and worship together.

When we open our hearts to others, we experience something like a similar rhythm, we will be able to unite our hearts and will be able to feel true fellowship. Our souls will be joyful and tender towards each other. Generating love that we can carry with us.

In Germany there is quote that states, love goes through the stomach. Does not sound very nice, but sharing a meal together is an universal mood enhancer. It makes us happy and the companionship of sharing something together unites us.

We are closer with people that we share a meal with.

And it is a wonderful way to share fellowship with each other.

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts," - Acts‬ ‭2:46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[bethankfulalways]

We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. Most of us have a tendency that we want to be in control. We want to call the shots in our life, to know that we are always in charge of our lives. But are we? An old Yiddish Proverb says: "We plan. God laughs." So many times of my life I could just imagine God watching me and laughing at my hilarious and hopeless trials to self direct my life, while I am thinking I know what I do and that I follow an informed decision. It is not us that is in control; whilst we take the first step, God has predetermined our final destination. Yet we are confronted daily with the task of having to make a decision. But how do we make the right decisions? The closer our heart is aligned to God's heart, the easier it will be for us to make the right decision. Because we are happy to ask and wait for god's guidance. So what happens if we make the wrong decision? Do you know the feeling that you feel when you are going around in circles? That's because we probably are. We take the scenic tour. The long run. And as long we make the wrong decisions, we will continue to go in circles, always coming back to the same crossroads. Not really making any progress, but certainly learning a lot on the way. Learning the hard way. This is when we have yet to be formed into a precious and shiny stone. Our edges have to be smoothed and any dirt, grime or fault within us has to be taken away first, so that we may be able to develop into a bright and sparkling jewel. Generally it is considered that we are taking a chance when we cast a lot. But if we pull a straw, or throw a coin, are we really taking a chance? I guess we are, if the game is rigged. But considering that it is fair play, we actually put the decision in Gods hands. It all depends on our intend. When we cast a lot, are we really willing to follow God's decision no matter the outcome? Or do we want to be actually in control? Are we hoping for one outcome over the other? Do we try to rig the decision or lot to go our way? Or do we fully succumb to God's faultless and just decision? We have to learn to give up control and to trust God fully and completely. And to search and ask for his guidance. As his ways are so much greater than ours. Even the apostles casted lots, when they chose Matthias to replace Judas: “Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” - Acts‬ ‭1:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ But they did not do so until after they prayed to God for his guidance. Because the decision is God's and we are wise to follow his decision. Because he has only the best in mind for us. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[bethankfulalways]

Search me God and know my heart We need to invite God to search our most inner thoughts, feelings and being. To be cleansed of all wickedness within us, so we will be able to find one day a pure heart beating within us. A heart oozing love, forgiveness and grace for all around us, but most of all a heart that makes us more Christlike. Many of us have learned through our lives not to open ourselves up to others, not to be vulnerable, so we may not be hurt by others. So that others can not read us so easily, like a book. We hide our most inner feelings, only show what is socially accepted. We bury our worst sins deep down in the corner of the cupboard. It is important to us to fit into society, we want people to see us the way we want them to see us and not as we really are. This is exhausting. We have to constantly remember all the lies we build up around us. It is exhausting, because it is hard work to play the role of our lives all day long, every day. It is exhausting, because we are doing things we do not want to do, but know we have to do them to fit with the picture we have drawn for ourselves. It is exhausting, because we do not get to be who we really are. Because we do not get to live the life God wanted us to live. The reason he brought us into this world, and we are constantly fighting against our own nature and with that against God. But God loves us the way we are, and the way he made us. He loves to see us to do the work he had planned for us. Loves to see us us flourish and bloom when we live our God given life the way he had architected for us so carefully. The problem is, we are so encased in living a role that is not truly us that we do not know how to stop it, to see where we go wrong, what we need to change. The beauty is, we do not have to know, God knows. We can invite God into our heart and soul and to search for all that is not Christlike. He will guide us if we let him. We can trust God, because he is for us, he is on our side, he loves us so much that it is in his deepest interest to lead us to a joyful life. True, this may not always be an easy path that we have to follow, because there is so much we have learn, before we can become more Christlike. We my have to be tested and formed in many ways, before we are ready. But it will be definitely worth it in the end. Imagine a life in which we can be ourselves. Where do not have to pretend to be somebody that we are not. Where we are not exhausted each and every night; but are still full of power and strength, because we get to be and do the things that we love. A life where we are surrounded by our loved ones, who love us just for whom we are. God can lead us in the right direction, he can show us the path. If we let him, if we invite him to do so. It is us that has to invite God into our deepest and darkest corners of our heart. Him we can trust, he will help us. Because there is no place we can hide from God anyhow. He knows all that we have done, he knows all our darkest thoughts, knows all our sins, the big ones and the small ones. We can not hide anything from God. But God is never pushing himself on us, only when we invite him, he will search our heart and guide us. There are so many sins and evil that dwells in us that we are not even aware of. Only God may see it. So we have to ask him to search our heart for it and to reveal it to us, so we can ask for forgiveness for it. This is the only way we can become more Christlike. Because the evil one does not want us to be healed, he wants to hold us in his grip, to keep us as far away as possible from God. So we have to ask God to show us what's hidden from our own understanding, to show us our weaknesses which expose us to the evil one. He will show the things that are harmful to us and our heart. As humans we are not able to follow God's understanding, we have to trust his guidance, even if it may not make sense to us at the time. Because his ways are so much greater than ours, he sees the big picture, the goal, the end result. Things our own mind is not able to comprehend. But this does not matter, we do not have to understand. We only have to trust him with all our heart, soul and mind and follow him. Because if we let evil and sin dwell in our hearts, we are in the full grip of the Antichrist. He will take over our life's and continue to draw us in deeper and deeper. It is what is in our hearts what we treasure. Usually it is our deepest shame that stops us, to open up to God. We want to hide from him. As if this would be possible! There no shame big enough in this world that could separate us from God, if we are willing to open up to him and to invite him in. Only he will be able to heal our broken heart and soul. Only through Jesus who died for our sins, our own sins can be and are forgiven. But we have to open our hearts to God, show him our willingness, show him that we mean it, to truly repent for all our sins. We have to do the first step, we have declare ourselves ready and willing to change. And if we really mean it, God will never fail us, he will never misuse our trust, he will never abandon us, he will not guide us onto the wrong path, but the path to everlasting life. He will guide us from darkness into light. Because he is our light, our saviour and our God. And he is on our side in this fight against evil. Because the night may hold sorrow, but with a new day, with a new dawn, light and joy will come back into our lives. But first we have to make room in our heart, so we can become an empty vessel into which the Holy Spirit can reside. You can not pour very well fine wine into a full vessel, filled to the rim with poison. First we invite God to search us, to test us and show us the wickedness within us, and our offensive ways and then we can repent all our sins and ask God for forgiveness. Our graceful God will forgive us, because Jesus Christ our Saviour already died for all our sins. Our sins are forgiven, when we repent truthfully and wholeheartedly. We just have to ask for it. Ask and it will be given to you. Knock and the door will open for you. It is up to us to knock and to ask, so we will be able to be led in the way everlasting. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

[bethankfulalways]

To save the lost Most of us are lost. Because when we lost God, we lost ourselves. Whilst all those who are reborn in Christ again, are children of God and created by God for our own unique purpose; we have lost this connection to who we really are, for whom we have been created for, not just by whom. Even if we are believers, we are still humans, distracted by worldly things, slaves to sin and toys to the evil one. To find back our way to who we were created to be, is not easy. Too hazy our view to God and to Christ. We are easy pray to the world and the evil one. Only if we manage to stay very close to our Shepherd, it is that we have a chance. It is in our nature that we are quickly influenced by the dark side and pulled in the wrong direction. And the further away we get off the narrow path, the more we are lost. The further away we build our home from God. If we trust in ourselves alone, or just too much, we are already veering off to no good. The haze becomes thicker, it develops into a fog, until we completely loose sight of God, our Shepherd. With that our guidance is gone, we become more and God becomes less, and we think that we did it all, we become so full of ourselves that we do not miss anymore God on our side. And all the time not realising how lost we actually are. It is only that feeling deep inside of us, the feeling that something is missing, that we can not truly be full of joy, that a part of us is gone, that is a sign to us that we are lost. Because we do not know who we are, if we have lost God. Only if we find our way back to God, can we find ourselves again. Only once we fear him more than anything else in the world, we are truly and fully on God's side. Not a shivering fear, but a fear of losing his love for us. Even though we know he will always love us, we are after all his creation. Just like with a father or a mother, as children we would fear to disappoint them, to lose their love; even though we know, or at least should know to some degree, that our parents will always love us, no matter what. Yet, we fear that we could lose this love. It is the same with God. If we are God's children, who should we fear, but God alone. But because of God's great love for us, he has sent his son Christ Jesus, the son of man, to save us, to save the lost. Because he loves us so much and because he knows how lost we are. He knows how unfaithful we are and that we do not deserve his love, but yet he loves us. And he wants us to find him, to find our way back to him. So he can welcome back his prodigal son or daughter with a great feast and celebration. And it is only once we found our way back home again, we can truly understand who we really are and always meant to be. At home, safe and loved, welcomed and appreciated the person that we are. Joyful in the bosom of our God our father, that will always be there for us, always be waiting on us and always love us. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke‬ ‭19:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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We are God's handiwork

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We are children of God A lot of people that are in a long term relationship, will be guilty of trying to change our partner to our liking. Isn't it weird that once we find our other half in life, the one we actually want to spend the rest of our life with, we try to change them. To rid them from all the flaws that we find in them, looking at them from our perspective. How weird is that? And why do we think, others should align themselves to our standards? Fact is, if we are a believer, we are all children of God. We are beautifully woven by God himself. He has made us exactly the way he wanted us to be. We are all special and unique. Not one the exact same as the other. We all are made for different tasks and purposes in mind. So, why would we think that we should change God's creation? Who has made us ruler of creation, to decide what is wrong and what is right about a person? Do we really think that we are worth to rule about other people's personality? We should instead love each other, just the way God made us. And we should never try to conform to human standards. Nor to church standards that are set by mere humans. There is no such thing as to how a Christian believers personality should be. And we are not meant to be all the same, and never were. The only thing that we should have in common as children of God, is our faith and our love for each other. Yes, we are meant to shine a light to others. Being a true believing Christian, God's spirit should live in our heart and soul; and our life, actions and personality should transcend this light to others. But each one of us will transcend this light in a different way, in our own distinct and unique way. Not in a conformed 'Christian Standard' way, or what some misled Christians believe to be the 'Christian Standard' to which each member should live up to. We are made for our own unique, distinct special purpose in life. And only if we are true to ourselves, to the child that God created himself, can we truly shine our light to others. And no other sinful human, can know who we are meant to be. Only we can know, who God wants us to be. Maybe we have to do some soul searching to find our way back, to be the one we were made originally. But instead of trying to change each one around us, we should love our brothers and sisters in Christ, the way they are. Encourage them to be the person that God himself made them to be. Because we are wonderfully made children of God. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,” - Galatians‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalm‬ ‭139:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians‬ ‭3:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Forgiveness Forgiveness, surely one of the more difficult tasks to do. We all have be wronged in our lives, but we also have wronged others, at the same time. The trick is, if we want our sins forgiven, we have to forgive first others that sinned against us. As our Father in heaven will not forgive our sins, unless we do. This is hard, no question about it. To forgive some people that sinned against us, may be one of the hardest things we will have to do in life. And many of us, may not be able to do so ever. Which may be understandable. But at the same time, we free ourselves from this boundary if we do. Because we tie ourselves actually, if we can not let go of old grievances. Whilst in most cases the person that sinned against us, has long forgotten about this event; unlike us. It is good for our own soul to forgive! To free up space in our soul, that we can replace with good, with life, with the Holy Spirit within us. But if somebody sins against us, we have the right to rebuke them. This should be done in a calm and loving way of course. They are after all our brothers and sisters in Christ, which we love. But we are only humans and we will do wrong. The more important is it, that our brothers and sisters keep us on the straight and narrow and let us know when we sin against them. It is important that we rather rebuke than just condemn them. Too often we leave things unsaid, because we do not want to upset others, or create a fraction. But we all can only grow, when we rebuke. This gives our brother or sister a chance to repent, to consider their actions and to learn from their mistakes. And when they repent, we forgive them. Immediately and regardless of their real intentions. Because we are humans and we can not look into somebodies heart. It is not for us to judge, only for God. We can point out to our brothers and sisters the sins that we see them commit, but we should not judge, nor condemn them. And when they repent, we forgive them, without delay and we forgive them many times over if required. Why? Because we are all humans, all brothers and sisters in Christ and we all do wrong. And we need to support each other, and not fight each other. “So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” - Luke‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Christ-like For me the parable of the Good Samaritan, expresses best what Christ-like means. It is not for me to judge others. But at the same time, I can not support a Christian church that does not operate and act in a Christ-like fashion. In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus answers the question of who is my neighbour. We all know that we, as believing true Christians, should love our neighbour as ourself. Surely everybody of us wondered, what exactly this meant. And how to put this, not always easy task, into action. The parable of the Good Samaritan answers this question. We are meant to show mercy to our neighbours. Neighbours being our friend, our feind, believers, non-believers, there are no limits. We are meant to show compassion for our neighbours, show them love and mercy, and most importantly, act on it accordingly. In short, to act Christ-like. With this I want to stress, that it is just as important to act in mercy, if this is in our power. Prayer is an important and essential part on our Christian path through life. But I am also convinced that we are only meant to pray about something, (when we ask for something) if it is something that is not in our power to provide. Something that we have no influence over. I think we should not be praying for something, that we can change, influence or provide for. Just as in the parable, it was not enough to pray for the man in need, he needed help, help that could have been provided by any of the others passing him on the road. Yet only the Good Samaritan did provide to the needs of the man. And this is for me Christ-like. When we do not just pray for others, but first provide ourselves for the required need, if we are in a position to do so. Personally I know too many churches and believers that preach that prayer alone is enough. Well, sometimes it is not enough. To me a true Christ-like life is one of activity, where activity is needed and possible. How would you feel, if you were God and hear the prayer of a believer, praying for something that they themselves could provide? It is like saying, God I want you to do something, because I don't want to do it. And then go happy to bed, believing that I did good by praying for somebody else. It makes me sad to see self confessed proud Christians, to act exactly in this fashion, day and day again. Whilst many non-believers at least act Christ-like. And it does not always have to be something costly or time consuming, that is required of us. The smallest and tiniest things can often make a big difference. We can make a difference, every one of us, especially if we are the true believers that we think we are, who want to make a difference. We were not placed on this earth, just so we can pray. We are put here for a reason. For a God sent reason. In this view and to use Jesus' words: Go and do likewise.

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Approach in confidence God's throne of grace As a believer we can approach the throne of God with confidence. This is possible because Christ died for our sins on the cross, so we don't have to. He also torn the veil, the separation between us and God for good. We have the option to approach God directly, from anywhere, anytime and without any intercepting items or people. Our God is a people's God, accessible for anyone that believes. It does not matter in which circumstances, situations, places or status we are in, all that matters is our heart and our faithfulness. We are fortunate to be able to receive his amazing grace and mercy when we need it, in our time of need. Possible through Christ Jesus our saviour. And because God is love and does not see our sins when he looks at us, but only his beloved children, on which he has great grace, mercy and compassion. We can approach his throne in confidence, knowing that he loves us, knowing that we will always be able to approach his throne, knowing that he will not turn us away, knowing that he has great compassion for us, knowing that he will be available to us, knowing that he will have time for us, knowing that his mercy and grace are endless, even for us sinners and knowing that he wants to help us and that he will be able to understand us. This is why we are able to approach his throne of grace in confidence. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” - Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Only the End of something reveals knowledge We don't foresee the future. Yet we quite often think that we know how a certain situation will end. Which we clearly don't. Only once something is completely finished, we know the final outcome. And only at the end of our life, will all our questions to our life be answered. Hopefully we will have gained some wisdom on the way. But either way, we will be wiser at the end of our life rather than on its beginning. So the end of a matter is better than its beginning. Yet we think too many times, we know it all, even before it is finished. This could lead to overreaction, if we don't practice patience. Or it could lead to inactivity, because our pride stops us to do the right thing. But if we show patience and swallow our pride, we will be able to wait to see the full picture and therefore act more wisely. Because the end of a matter is better than its beginning. “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” - Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Are you ready One day we all will pass away. But we do not know when this Day will be. Nor do we know if we will die before the second coming of Christ. But either way, one day we will face judgement for our life. It will be a fair and just judgement, as it is divine. Are we ready for it? I think it does not matter if we are ready or not, it will happen either way. And I believe that we will be our own and hardest judge. That we will have to face all the bad and wrong that we have done. But this time without the dark and evil cloud surrounding us through life. We will be able to see our life through the eyes of God. Feel the hurt and disappointment God felt watching us doing wrong. Feeling his heavy heart, just as he felt when we were not obedient and sinned. Feeling all the pain Jesus felt on the cross, when he died for our sins. Are we able to experience all this pain and sorrow, knowing that it was us that caused this pain to God and our Lord? It will be heart breaking. And yet God gave his son to die for our sins. When we understand this, why do we continue to sin and do wrong? Whilst we are humans living in this world, we are born into sin and sin will not leave us until we die. But we can decide how much power we want to give to the dark side in our life. If we do not want God to see, hear or feel when we do wrong, we should not do it. Our Father loves us and will always love us, but just like a father, he wants us to understand when we do wrong. And it is because he loves us so much, that he cares for us and wants us to understand what we did wrong and see it from his viewpoint. The beauty is, we can turn our life around any time in our life that we want to. Whilst we can not change our past, we can change our future. It is up to us, what we do or don't do. “But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” - 1 Peter‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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In Anxiety God's consolation brings joy So many people are controlled by anxiety and depression nowadays. This is a sad fact and such a waste of time, as it brings no benefit. But it is to be taken serious, nobody chooses to be anxious or depressed, or both. Yet I believe that both can be managed through our faith. God can console us in times of great anxiety and depression. But that does not mean that your faith is weak, if we can not overcome either. Sometimes we need additional help from people, medication or other, before we can trust in God Alone to help us through our lows in life. They surely were also provided through God's provision for us. But how wonderful, when we can experience God's consolation directly. When our life gets focus and direction again. When we can experience so much generous consolation, that our life becomes joyful again. Because anxiety and depression sap the joy right out of us. But God loves us so much, he wants us to experience joy always. And when we are down, he wants to console us until all our joy is back again. Joy is an inner emotional state that prevails in any life circumstance, regardless of our life's circumstance. And God wants us to be joyful always, because he loves us so much. “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” - Psalm‬ ‭94:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬