22th January 2025
Money is not everything
”What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their
soul?”
Mark 8:36NIV
A young rich man in London developed a neck spasm. The doctor came to
him and examined him and found that he had inflammation of the
meninges and that in three hours everything would be over.
"It pains me to say it," said the doctor, "but I stand quite helpless here."
"Doctor," said the sick man, "if you can keep me alive until tomorrow, I
promise you 100,000 pounds."
The doctor looked at the patient and replied: “I can write prescriptions and
prescribe medicine, but I cannot sell time. It is in God's hand.”
So there is something that money can't buy, and that's a good thing! We
often hear that money can't buy happiness, but often it's just a saying.
Money brings nice houses, cars and all kinds of comforts, but money also
has its limitations and that's good!
Money can buy many things, but not health, indeed, for 100,000 pounds
life cannot be extended by a single day. Every penny must be left here
when we leave this world, and the values can create discord and arguments
for others.
If life is precious for us then there are other values that are decisive. Then
it is faith in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins in him that is the only
thing that lasts, both in life and in death. He who owns this treasure, he
will not be left bare-bottomed on the last day.
A.J
21th January 2025
The precious pearl
”“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he
had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46NIV
A young man came to a priest and asked him to take care of his brother's
funeral.
"Yes," said the priest, "but let's hear, your brother was quite a young man,
wasn't he?"
"Yes, he was."
"And he has worked a lot for 20 years?"
"Yes, he has."
"What did he get out of life?"
"Well, he left behind a well-maintained farm, some money in the bank and
DKK 10,000 in life insurance."
"Well, that's what you got out of his life." But what did he himself get out
of life?” asked the priest.
Then the brother was silent.
It is a reality that many people left a lot in this world, which the heirs then
had to fight over, so that they became enemies for the rest of their days,
because someone got a sofa cushion that someone else had designated for
themselves. They left behind something that made life difficult for the
others. But what did they get out of life?
The truth is that there is a treasure in this world that never loses its value, it
is a priceless treasure that is bestowed upon us from above, from the God
of life through Jesus Christ, and we can get this treasure beyond the
curtain.
There are spiritual treasures that never lose their value and have proven
strong enough to both live and die on. A merchant who went out to search
for a precious pearl and found it and then went and sold everything he
owned to buy this pearl. That pearl is called the forgiveness of sins and it
lasts all the way from life to death. It cannot be left or bequeathed to
others.
Without that pearl, life has no value – because everything must be left
here.
A.J
20th January 2025
When the heart burns
”I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were
either one or the other!”
Rev. 3:15NIV
Einar Prip, priest, sat one day talking with a poor and discouraged priest
from the old Syrian church.
"No, it will never be different," said the priest, "the congregation there is
cold and hard. Now I have preached to them for three years. Early and late
they hear in the word of God that they must not curse, lie or steal and yet
everything remains the same.”
"Well, my goodness, there's just one thing missing," Einar Prip said.
"So what is that?"
Prip picked up two stones from the courtyard. "Just imagine, these two
stones here are charcoal. When the pieces of coal are lying separately, do
they catch fire?”
"No."
"But if one of these pieces of coal becomes glowing and you put it together
with the other, what happens?"
"Well, then there will be fire in the other one too!"
"Yes, and therefore I say to you that you can continue preaching like this
not only for three years, but for 100, and scold the church congregation
and present God's commandments to them, and yet they will remain cold
and dead. No, let the fire ignite you first, so that your heart burns with the
love of Jesus for souls, because then you will see that the whole
congregation will soon be in burning too.
Effie Campbell translated
19th January 2025
Those who love his revelation
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but
also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
2.Tim.4:8NIV
I always look forward so immensely to coming home. Hope grows even
higher when we drive off the fast and noisy highway and onto a more
peaceful road. When I finally drive up towards our home, I know that even
before I can unbuckle my seat belt, the door will be opened and mum and
dad will come rushing out to give me a big hug and welcome me home.
They have moved to this place. I myself have never lived in either that
house nor that town. So the place itself does not hold much interest for me,
although it is a beautiful place at the foot of the majestic Rocky
Mountains.
The air is cool and dry. The sky is clear and blue. The sunsets there are
incredibly beautiful. But all that doesn't really matter. What makes this
place special on this earth is that my parents live there.
Regardless of where else they might have chosen to settle, it would have
been home for me. I love to come and visit them.
Home. The word means love. Reassurance. And so it is also for those, as is
also stated in the scripture above, who have been looking forward to Jesus
coming again.
We often try to imagine heaven. Paths of gold, architect-designed houses,
lovely flowers, exotic fruits and a whole universe that surpasses everything
we know and litters all our wildest dreams. It's not merely that that
matters. No, the best thing is that Jesus is there. He is waiting for us. He
longs for us.
When Paul had grown old, he had his distant home more and more in
mind. He had never tried to live there either, but his father lived there and
he so longed to see his father. He knows his time is short. "For I am
already being poured out like a drink offering, ..." says Paul, "...and the
time for my departure is near." 2.Tim.4:6NIV. The Romans had made it so
that Paul could no longer come and go as he pleased. But it was all
unimportant. He had fought the good fight, he had finished the race and
now he was looking forward to the moment that he would meet his best
friend, Jesus Christ.
You and I and all those who love Jesus and look forward to his return have
the same promise.
E.Campbell translated
18th January 2025
Jesus in everyday life
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his
master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I
learned from my Father I have made known to you. "
John 15:15NIV
Jesus claims to be our friend. We generally call a friend someone we are
happy with and in whom we trust, someone we know cares about us and
who would like to do his part to help us in times of trouble. But we are all
only humans and we have our faults. We fail and we forget. Most of us
have at least felt let down by someone we trusted.
But then we have Jesus. We can trust him at all times without ever being
disappointed. He has promised that. He neither forgets ("“Can a mother
forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has
borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Is.49:15NIV) nor
lets us down (“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is
the Rock eternal.” Is.26:4NIV). He does not always answer in the way we
might wish, but in the way that He knows benefits us best. Where one door
is closed to us, God opens another door. He doesn't leave us discouraged
and giving up, but he always helps us move on when we can't see a way
out ourselves.
God wants to have a heartfelt relationship with each one of us. We often
hear the expression, "the door of the heart". Think for a moment that on the
door of our heart there is only handles on the inside. We must open up and
allow Jesus to enter from inside. He created us with a free will, and he
respects our limits. He doesn't come rushing in, but he gently knocks on
our door and asks to be allowed to come inside. It's up to us, it's our
decision.
In order to get close to a fellow human being, we must spend time with
that person. In the same way it is also with God. If we want to build an
open connection and friendship with him, then we must make time for this.
The prayer has incredible power. The more time we spend with God in
prayer, the closer we get to him.
He knows us to the core, well, actually better than we do ourselves.
Therefore, it is just about pouring out all our wishes and thoughts before
him. There is no need to make plans in advance. He grasps all that is on
our hearts, and he goes carefully and faithfully to work. And best of all: He
doesn't gossip!
Think for a moment how lucky we are: we have a psychologist who
understands and guides without starting over and telling for hours about
ourselves in order to create a complete picture of ourselves, which God
fully knows in advance.
Therefore, spend plenty of time talking to Jesus. When you drive to work,
bake, clean up, fish and whenever possible. It builds a safe and trusting
friendship. It eases minds, because he has promised to bear our burdens for
us.
These words were written by Susanne Hansen from Tvøroyri in the Faroe
Islands, a month before she died in a tragic traffic accident in February
2000
17th January 2025
Wonderful living words
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs
from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Col. 3:16NIV
The very best thing we can send our young people into life with is God's
word, the Bible. These words are more than just paper and ink. They are
alive, as large as life. The Bible says that the word of the Lord is spirit and
life. (John 6,63)
God's word creates what it mentions. He created the world with his word.
My mother has to have yarn and knitting needles to create a sweater, and
my father must have wood and nails to create a house, for example. But
God utters a word and that's it. People have understood this throughout the
ages.
"The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my
roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed." is said in
Matt.8:8NIV. - “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night
and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the
nets.” ” Luk.5:5NIV. Both of them knew that the Lord had only to utter
one word, and then it became reality. Because in the Psalms they may have
read this: "He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave." Psalm 107:20NIV. Yes, "The word
(promise) of the Lord remains forever..." Isaiah. 40,8.
But the word can do more than just what it cleans. When we read God's
word, we become clean. “You are already clean because of the word I have
spoken to you.” said Jesus in John 15:3NIV.
Both in the Old and New Testaments we are reminded to read God's word:
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.”
Proverbs 4:20NIV
“"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly ..."
Col. 3:16NIV
E. Campbell
16th January 2025
I can do all this through him who gives me strength
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Phil. 4:13NIV
Even the one who has been weak and even terminally ill can rise again and
become as healthy and strong as ever before, if this is the Lord's will.
Spiritually, too, it is possible to recover after a period of weakness.
The great personalities mentioned in the 11th chapter of Hebrews, those
who by faith conquered kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions, quenched
fires, those who escaped the edge of the sword, even those had their weak
moments.
After the victory on Mount Carmel, we see the prophet Elijah as weak and
discouraged under a juniper bush, where he wished himself dead.
This may have happened to you too. Perhaps you were once spiritually
healthy and powerful, but now you are weak and discouraged. But you too
can become strong again, because it is written about the "great"
personalities of the past that they became strong after being weak, Indeed,
mighty in battle and made the enemy's armies retreat.
The apostle Peter had his weak moments, indeed, he was so weak one
night that a girl made him fall. But after his confession, repentance and
penance, he became so strong that he could strengthen his brothers, just as
Jesus had predicted.
Paul thanked God who made him that strong that he could endure
everything in Christ Jesus.
You too can become a spiritual great personality by being clothed with
power from on high.
15th January 2025
God's goodness
”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28NIV
When we read Paul's letters, we can sometimes think that he might be too
determined and confident - as, for example, in the verses above, where he
directly says that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him. All? he says unconditionally.
But when we now look more closely at who this applies to, well, we
instead find a clear distinction: "...those who love God." Only with regard
to these is it valid that everything works together for their good.
And of course it must be so. How it may meet us in life, whether it is in
prosperity or adversity, it depends on how we receive it. Good fortune can
become a trap or a curse for us if we accept all good things in selfish
ingratitude.
And adversity, on the other hand, can bring with it rich blessing for us if
we accept it from God's hand. Those who love God, - in these words is the
secret buried. Because when we love God, we live close to Him and if we
do that, then we have great trust in Him. Therefore, we are safe and
hopeful in everything, and then God will also make sure that everything
works together for our good. Then the adversity will not make us see other
ways than towards God and to become grateful when it is Him we love
above all else. And it is only the one who truly loves God who can manage
to accept even the most difficult trials without becoming bitter and without
turning his back on God. And because of that they will also love Him and
stay close to Him, He gives them a share in "the peaceful fruits of
righteousness". not simply having enough in oneself.
And those who love God never doubt whether what God is doing is the
best for us, even when it hurts and is heavy and difficult. There we often
reap the greatest blessings.
In an old fairy tale, it is told about a prince who took a small ivory plate
with him when he had to go on a long journey. On the plate were written
some words and every time he was in need he had to read them because
then help would always be ready for him. But the strange thing about these
words was that they could only be seen and read if tears fell on them.
Because then they would be so clear and easy to read, but otherwise not.
This is probably more than just a fairy tale. It teaches us a deep truth -
hardships and trials make us turn our eyes to God's promises and there we
also find words for our prayers. Through tears we often see much more
than with dry eyes.
Let us therefore in loving trust in the Lord thank Him for all things in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, then everything will also work together for
our good, this is a truth that can never be shaken.
14th January 2025
Gratitude
“Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ”
Luke 17:17NIV
Certainly we can marvel at the ingratitude these nine lepers show after
Jesus heals them. Their situation had been hopeless, but he had delivered
them from their distress! We may not think there are many who are so
ungrateful.
But what is gratitude after all? It's not just the joy of what you've got,
because it's nothing but self-absorption, which a dog also has when it has
got something it likes. Gratitude is something very precious, and that is
exactly what we see in the one of the ten lepers, the one who returned to
give thanks. Gratitude is the echo of the heart, so to speak. But
unfortunately not all hearts give a similar echo, but when it is there it
always pleases Him from whom all good gifts come.
During World War II, an English priest noticed a little boy coming to
church to pray. "Do you often come here to pray?" he asked the boy. "Four
times in the last five days!" replied the boy.
"Perhaps you have some relative who is at war at Dunkirk?"
"Yes, my father, but he came home yesterday, and therefore I come here to
thank God," he answered.
This is gratitude after God's heart. How much this boy has to teach us! We
pray and long and we receive God's good gifts every day - in small and
large ways, but do we also say like this little boy: That's why I come here
to thank Him?
Sometimes we become more concerned with what we don't have, all the
things we would like to have, than the goodness that has been shown to us
through all that we have been given, not least all the evil that we have been
spared. We well understand the old Indian, who was asked if he had
learned nothing from the white man's civilization, to which he simply
replied with a single word: "Ingratitude!" The demand mentality and the
uncontrollable urge to get more and more that is so common these days, it
stifles the fine and beautiful thing in a human heart called gratitude.
Many of us would very much have benefited from a visit to a hospital to
greet some of those who are committed to a long-term hospital stay, many
with virtually no hope of ever getting well again and being allowed to
return home to their loved ones. Or think of the many blind, disabled,
alone, unhappy.
"I complain over not having shoes," goes an Arabic proverb, "until I met a
man without legs."
When we then realize how well off we ourselves really are, and how much
we have been spared without having deserved any of it more than others,
then we must be shamefully ungrateful if we do not return to the Lord and
with our whole heart praise Him because He has been so good to us.
13th January 2025
God's footprints can be seen everywhere
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his
hands."
Psalm 19:2NIV
A scientist set out on a journey of discovery through the Sahara desert. He
had an Arab tour guide with him who often prayed to his god. Once the
scientist asked him: “What are you doing?”
“I pray.”
“Praying? To whom?”
"To Allah, to god."
The scientist laughed and said, "Have you ever touched god with your
hands?"
"No!"
"Then you are a fool if you pray to a god you have never seen and never
felt with your hands," replied the scientist.
The Arab did not answer. - They went to bed, but before the sun rose the
following morning they were both up.
"A camel has been here last night," said the scientist.
Then the Arab's eyes shone. "Have you seen the camel?" he asked.
"No!"
"Have you touched it?"
"No!"
"Then you are a strange learned man who believes in a camel you have
neither seen nor touched with your hands."
“Oh,” said the scientist. "We see the camel's footprints in the sand."
At the same moment, the sun rose from the horizon in all its colorful glory.
The Arab now pointed to the sun and said: “Do you see the footprints of
the creator? Then you also know that there is a god.”
The Creator himself we cannot see or touch. But his footprints are clearly
visible everywhere. There must be something wrong with him who is
unable to see them. "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They
are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good." Psalm 53:1NIV
12th January 2025
God is holy
"... ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy."
Leviticus 19:2NIV
We know that well. It is written in the Bible and in our confessions. But
what is the reality like? Is there room for this side of God's being: He is
holy. And room for the belief: We are holy – because He is? Here we have
a big problem in our church. God's holiness has in many ways disappeared
from modern man's field of vision. Now we always talk about God's love.
Not as something direct that we have tried, but as a doctrine of faith. God
is love, so says the Bible. And that's true, but...
Why this but...? Perhaps because we have arrived at this truth too easily.
And because our conception of love has crept into the biblical conception
and pushed it in a humanistic direction. Or put in other words: God's
holiness is not connected with God's love. There is no balance between the
two. Justice and mercy, judgment and grace, law and gospel, wrath and
grace, perdition and salvation. Such is the speech of the Bible. Always a
"both this and". Not only in the Old Testament, but also in the New
Testament.
This tension no longer exists in our conception of God. Luther says: "You
must fear and love God..." It has now become: "You must love God." The
fear of God has disappeared. And what is the consequence of that? The
Swedish rector in Uppsala, Agne Nordlander, says it like this: "God does
not judge and punish in such a way that a human child trembles before His
presence, and He does not love in such a way that a human heart with
trembling opens in wonder, because the God who is preached to people
today, is unable to do anything.”
This is a serious charge against Christ's church, and we must take it to
heart. And then we must follow the good old point of view: Back to the
sources! Back to the God who has revealed Himself in the Scriptures of the
Bible, the God who is the same yesterday and today and forever:
The holy and loving God. The god the angels worship with a "Holy, holy,
holy is the Lord Almighty; ...", but at the same time the God who can also
say to each repentant sinner: "... your guilt is taken away and your sin
atoned for." (Cf. Isaiah chapter 6), the God who sent his son into our
world, and who "... for the transgression of my people he was punished."
(Isaiah 53:8NIV), but who could also say: "Your sins are forgiven, go in
peace....” It is this faith that the church is being called back to, and which
more and more people are happily realizing in the best part of the spiritual
renewal that is taking place over the world. Here the Holy Spirit has done
what the Bible promises on such a rich scale: God's glory in the midst of
his believers. May we all share in this experience.
Danish European Mission. Håkon Bojsen, priest. E.Campbell translated
11th January 2025
The gate
”I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come
in and go out, and find pasture.”
John 10:9NIV
How do you get into a house? Well, that's a silly question. We all know
that if you have to enter a house, yes, of course you have to enter through
the door/gate. It also happens that thieves who have nothing to do in the
house, they try to enter through a window. But everyone is welcome in the
house, they enter through the door.
How do you enter the kingdom of God? How do you get saved? This is the
big question that Jesus answers when he says about himself: “I am the
gate; whoever enters through me will be saved....”. So God's kingdom also
has a door that we must go through if we want to be saved. The door to the
joy and glory of God's kingdom is called Jesus. Only through him can a
person be saved and get a place in the kingdom of God.
Many believe that there are also other doors into the kingdom of God,
which most believe lead into the kingdom of God, and these are our deeds.
Some believe that they can find peace with God thanks to their deeds and
what they don't do. They think that now that I have not been guilty of any
great sin that causes great harm to other people, then there will also be a
place for me in God's kingdom.
Others believe that it can't be right, it's too easy to just stick to something
that you haven't done. No, they say, it must be the good I have done that is
the key to the kingdom of God. Because they believe that the kingdom of
God is for good people who have really done something good in this
world.
But it is not like that. Here they are horribly wrong. Because Jesus did not
say that he is one of the doors into the kingdom of God. No, he said: "I am
the gate..." This means that there are no other doors. There are no other
gates. No one enters the kingdom of God because there are sins one has
never committed or good deeds one has done. But the fact that Jesus is the
gate/door also means that everyone who comes to Jesus, as they are now to
get everything from him, will be saved. Because it is only through all that
Jesus has done for us that we can be saved to a life in God's kingdom.
It is wonderful what happens to those who enter through the true one
gate/door and into the kingdom of God. We come to Jesus as lost sinners
who rightfully have deserved judgment and punishment. But through Jesus
and his works on our behalf, we can enter the kingdom of God and appear
before God as his dear and beloved children. We can't imagine a bigger
change. And this great thing happens to all those who enter through the
gate with baptism and faith in Jesus.
10th January 2025
A famous living man
"He is not here; he has risen! ..."
Luke 24:6NIV
A teacher asked the children: "Name me a living man who is very
famous!" He was given many names and one little boy said: "Jesus"
"But he is dead," said the teacher.
"Only for three days" answered the boy.
And that's right, maybe not even three days, because Jesus had to hurry to
Paradise in order to meet the thief on the cross. The Lord had said to him:
"... “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”"
Jesus will also welcome all believers once we get that far.
Effie Campbell translated
9th January 2025
The fountain of life
"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light."
Psalm 36:9NIV
God is the fountain of life, the source of life. All life comes from Him.
This is how it is with all the multitude of life that fills our globe and that
we all experience daily. The tallest trees and every small blade of grass,
giraffes and elephants and the tiny creatures that can only be seen through
microscopes, all live and exist only because God gives them life.
Now when David calls God the fountain of life, it is a figure of speech.
The picture is taken from nature. When we see a stream in nature, we
know that it comes from a certain place. It must have its source somewhere
where there is enough water. It could, for example, be from a snowdrift or
from a large lake. This is also the case with all life as we know it. It is like
a great living stream that wells up from God himself.
We humans also get our lives from God. It is a gift from Him at all times.
It is not the case that we were only given the gift of life when we came into
the world and that we from then on have to take care of keeping ourselves
alive. Indeed, every moment we live our lives come from God. It is a
constant stream of life that pours forth from God and comes to us. That is
why Paul could also say to the pagans in Athens, who knew nothing at all
about God, that God, who created the world, "... he himself gives everyone
life and breath ..." Acts 17:25
When God gives life to the human race without ceasing it is because He
wants something specific for us. He has plans for every single one of us.
God does not relate to us humans on earth in the same way as when we
humans have fish in an aquarium. We give the fish food and clean water
because we like to look at them. For God, it is never enough to simply
keep us alive in order to look at and enjoy the sight of us. Indeed, when
God gives us life, it is to that extent because He wants something with us
and has important and special plans for us.
God longs for us to have a new life, what the Bible calls eternal life, which
is that people know Jesus, trust him and open their hearts to him. Already
there begins eternal life as a child of God.
Eternal life also comes from God. It is given to us through His word. Nor
does eternal life come by itself. God must create it in our hearts. And He
does this in all places where a person seeks His word and does not show it
away. Therefore, God in his great love and mercy allows the word about
Jesus to become faith in our hearts so that the new life as His child can
begin.
At that moment, God has achieved His great goal with a human being, to
whom He gave the gift of life. Than that person has become His child and
has been given eternal life as property.
8 January 2025
The dream
”and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss
they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to
public disgrace. ”
Hebr. 6:6NIV
A man who was called Alesander and lived in Scotland was lying one night
dreaming. He ached and whimpered in the dream, so that his wife finally
pushed him and asked what he was dreaming since he was whimpering
like that. “Oh,” he said, “I've had a terrible dream. I dreamed that I was
inside the governor's castle when Pilate interrogated Jesus.
Oh, how cruel, the soldiers took a crown of thorns and pressed it down on
his head. The thorns stuck into his head and I saw the blood running down
his face. They spat on him and hit him in the face.
Then a big strong soldier came and he had a long whip in his hand with
which he hit Jesus. The whip carved into his back and left an open wound
and I could see the blood running down his body. Time and time again he
let the whip whiz through the air down on Jesus. But Jesus said nothing.
In the end, I couldn't take it anymore, but shouted: "Stop, stop, you are not
to hit him anymore!" But the soldier pretended nothing. I jumped towards
him and was about to rip the whip out of his hands, but in vain. Then I
tried to turn the soldier so I could see his face. In the end it succeeded.
Oh," sighed Alexander, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "Do you know
who I saw?" - Myself! The soldier, it was myself. Oh, how horrible!”
Do you know that Jesus is still tormented today? Every time we lie, steal
or are mean to our fellow human beings, it also torments Jesus. He himself
has said: "“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one
of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ " Matt.25:40NIV
If you strike a person, then it is Jesus you have struck. If you lie about
someone, it is Jesus who suffers.
But Jesus loves us all. He did not open his mouth to the soldier who beat
him. He is love. Therefore come to him exactly as you are. With all your
faults and your distress. He accepts you, forgives you, gives your life
content and gives you the strength to live for him.
Effie Campbell translated
7th January 2025
How do we understand God's word?
“Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for
battle? "
1. Cor. 14:8NIV
God's word is often used in such a way that what is true for you is not
necessarily true for me. We decide for ourselves, based on our own
understanding and opinion, what is right and we happily sort out what
doesn't suit us.
There is a danger that we raise ourselves up to be the conclusion, the
result, and that we turn and twist God's word to make it fit into our own
boxes. The Church's guidance becomes weak and receding because
perception points in all possible directions. If the church's advice and
guidance becomes unclear and blurred, it creates confusion, discord and
chaos. Where two Christians meet, we suddenly get three opinions.
"Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for
battle?" (1Cor. 14:8NIV). Rallying soldiers around the essential and good
goals of the church is missed and forgotten because people are running in
all directions. A scattered and helpless church loses its credibility. Why
should we listen to it? It doesn't even know what it thinks and stands for. It
seems pointless, because there are so many conflicting opinions that offset
each other. For 2000 years, the church has preached "the forgiveness of
sins - not the permission of sins".
Jesus once said to Peter: "... “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this
was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. "
(Matt.16:17NIV)
In order to understand God's Word, we need God's Spirit. We need to invite
him into our Bible reading. We cannot interpret and decipher God's Word
by ourselves and independently of him. He is our Helper who will guide us
into all truth. Without him, we are "lost in space", and the thoughts will be
accordingly. Our thinking, pondering and interpretation of God's Word
become like weeds and wild shoots in the field if we do not get help from
the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to guide us in the Word,
the fruits are: peace, justice and salvation. Kyrie Eleison.
Frank Erlandsen, pastor. Effie Campbell translated
6th January 2025
Biblical promises
He who does not read the Bible daily dries up inside, and the spiritual life
dies. The Bible is like a treasure chest full of promises. Here are four of
those promises.
When you are afraid, read Isaiah 41:10NIV “So do not fear, for I am with
you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
If you think that no one cares about you, then read Isaiah 43:4NIV: “Since
you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will
give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
If you have a problem, read 1.Pet.5:7NIV: “Cast all your anxiety on him
because he cares for you.”
If you are sad, read Psalm 37:4NIV: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will
give you the desires of your heart.”
"Focus on the child". E.Campbell translated
5th January 2025
Why is the windscreen bigger?
“Keep your eyes on him who found himself in such opposition from
sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "
Hebr. 12:3NIV
At New Year's time, we look both backwards and forwards – perhaps too
much backwards – especially towards what didn't go so well. Because we
all have something that didn't go so well - maybe it even went extremely
badly. Then it is good to remember why the rear-view mirror in a car is
much smaller than the windscreen. That's because we have to look forward
– not backward.
Regardless of what failed in the past year, it is important to always have
FORGIVENESS with you on the path of life. I hear all too often: "I can't
forgive him for what he did!" Or: "I can't forgive myself!"
When God can forgive EVERYTHING - and even forgives me right up to
my last breath, then it is also my responsibility to forgive others and
myself. Forgiveness is the foundation for me to forget what lies behind, as
Paul also says in Phil. 3:13-14NIV: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider
myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Paul is heading straight for the goal: But one thing I do! Few of us forget
falls and crimes. But when we have asked for forgiveness - and have
forgiven others ourselves - we forget it in such a way that we will not
continue to struggle with it. We do not accept accusations, either from
Satan, people or ourselves. For the blood of Jesus has wiped the slate
clean!
Therefore, we do not concern ourselves with it, but turn our eyes to the
windshield and focus on what is ahead, run forward towards the goal and
fix our eyes on Jesus, the originator and finisher of faith!
Effie Campbell translated
4th January 2025
Daniel's source – who is our source?
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what
we do not see. ”
Hebr.11:1NIV
When young people get into crime, violence, abuse and various sins,
friends, peer pressure and domestic conditions are often said to be the
cause.
Daniel from the Old Testament was approx. 20 years old when he was
abducted to a foreign country where the living conditions were completely
different from what he knew. However, he did not allow himself to be
influenced by it. He set himself high goals and lived by them. He did not
allow culture and environment to harm him. He was filled with God. Frank
Mangs once said: "There was too much spirit and too little flesh in Daniel
and therefore he could not become lion food."
When Daniel was 90 years old, he prophesied about the end of the world.
You are not well enough informed if you only read the newspapers and
listen to the radio and TV. No, we have to read the prophetic word. Read
chapters 12 and 13 of Zechariah.
The world is informed through today's many media sources in order to
know what happened yesterday. God's people read the Bible and are told
what will happen in the days ahead, in the future.
Written by Morgan Kornmo and translated by Effie Campbell
3rd January 2025
He gives us everything
”He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will
he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Rom. 8:32NIV
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the government of
the country decided to honor the homes that sent their sons off to fight for
their country. Flags were made that could be hung in the windows. A silver
star was part of the flag for each son who joined the armed services. If one
of these young men was killed, the silver star was replaced with a gold
star. The parents were proud to display the flags.
One evening, when a father and his little son were walking through the
streets of a small town, the boy counted the stars in the different windows.
"Look, father," he cried, pointing to a small house, "three stars in the
window." A little later he asked in amazement: "But look at that big house
with not so much as one star. How can that be, father?”
"Yes, you know dear friend, in some families the boys are too young to be
able to participate in war, and therefore they have no flag. Then there are
also other parents who are afraid to send their sons to war and devise all
kinds of ways to avoid being drafted.”
They continued walking and finally came to the open fields where there
were no houses. This clear still evening they noticed the evening star
shining so brightly in the west.
“Oh, father,” cried the boy, quite upset, “There's a star in God's window. Is
it because he also gave birth to a son...?”
"Yes, yes," replied the father. "God gave his son, his only son."
Yes, from all the security of heaven and down here, God sent Jesus to this
war-torn globe, where he was in danger of not being able to stand against
Satan's attacks. On Calvary this Son of God died so that He could bring
victory to all God's children.
Since God has given us His Son, do you think that He will deny us
something that He knows is good for us? Now that he has given us the
greatest gift that can be given, do you think he will deny us any lesser
blessings?
Does God give reluctantly? The Bible verse at the top says that with Jesus
he willingly gives us all things. They are ours if we receive his Son. For
Jesus' sake, God will hear and answer our prayers. Now that He has given
us so much, how much are we willing to give Him?
"Reach out" 30 June. – Effie Campbell translated.
2nd January 2025
The Creator and us
”In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ”
Genesis 1:1NIV
The above is the very first word of the Bible, and it is not entirely beside
the point that we mention the first day of the world when we are about to
start a new year of our lives.
With this we are told that the time of the world and the time of man begins
at God's creation. This is not a scientific thesis that we can agree on, but
rater a message that we can receive in faith. It is the same as is so precisely
said in the first article of the old creed: "We believe in God the Father, the
Almighty, creator of heaven and earth”
The scientific theories are many and nuanced, and let's welcome them and
put the best into them. They are serious and interesting attempts to find the
origin of life. But then it must also be added that every honest and
convinced scientist must admit that the puzzle has not been solved. Not
yet, some say. And preferably never ever guessed or solved, others say.
In the message about God as the creator of heaven and earth, it is
announced to us that the world did not come into being by chance, but that
there is a divine will behind this creation. Both in its origin and in its
continuation, the world is bound to a power that exists outside itself.
Bound to God and his omnipotence.
What existed before creation, well, we know as little about that as we can
imagine eternity or tell from where the universe begins and ends. At the
commandment of creation we are told that our existence begins in God. It
is, among other things, the same, our famous Faroese poet, Janus Djurhuus
says in his well-known poem about Moses on Mount Sinai.
"Then a distinction was made between was and is."
And we are part of the creation that now exists. Even if the world is made
evil by evil forces, it is good in itself, precisely because it is divine. It
should give us a life-affirming basic understanding of this world, and it
could teach us to see ourselves as those who are involved in the
continuation of God's creation, also in securing and preserving the
creation.
A new year is also in our lives, a "gap between was and is." What was has
passed into the Lord's hands. What is - and what is to come - we begin in
trust in Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth.
A. Tórgarð
1st January 2025
Jesus promises
”and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely
I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ”
Matthew 28:20NIV
These are Jesus' promises to those who believe in him: Surely I am with
you always. It is like a sun that spreads its rays along our life path. These
are good words to remember now that we are on the threshold of a new
year.
This new year is like a book where your future destiny is written. But the
book is folded and you are only allowed to open one page at a time, where
you can read your life story. I wonder what is written on these pages?
What will the future bring you? Well, no one knows. You don't even know
as much as what the coming hours will bring you, much less tomorrow or
the day after tomorrow and so on. And yet the Lord has so drawn aside the
veil of the future that not one soul need walk in darkness. He has revealed
to us: “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face
judgment, ” Heb.9:27NIV
So there will come a day when you turn a page for the very last time and
reach the page on which is written only: "Death," and then the judgment
will come. He has also revealed to us that there are two ways to go through
the world – one leads to eternal perdition and the other to eternal life.
Therefore, it is important to stop and ask yourself the question, which way
am I going. And if you have so far and untill now dishonored the grace and
salvation in Christ Jesus, then in the new year set your foot on the narrow
road that leads home to life. Then God's promises will also apply to you in
this new and unknown year before us: "... And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age."" Jesus is with his. It is the heading
above every page in the book of life of every child of God. What else is
written on these pages, well, only the Lord knows. Whether the pages tell
of happiness or unhappiness, joy or sorrow, wealth or poverty, freedom or
hardships, darkness or light. He is with you. And he is an almighty helper
in need, he is a comfort to the mourners and a shepherd to the lost. The
Lord is a sun and a shield to all his people. And that sun never sets, not
even in the shadow of Hades, and none of the arrows from the evil one can
pierce that shield. Let him be allowed to be with you in both your joy and
your sorrow, in your decisions and your work. Wherever he is with you,
Satan must flee and there will be light and peace and salvation. Yes, Lord,
my God, be with me in this new year, accompany me through this
dangerous world and do not leave me when I have to walk through the
valley of the shadow of death.
