21 November 2024
Believing the unbelievable
“He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if
indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring
be.””
Genesis 15:5NIV
If you've struggled with believing the unbelievable, you're not the first one.
Even the giants of faith struggled with unbelief. Abraham was sensible
enough to realize that his barren wife would not bear him offspring, and he
questioned the promise he had received from God.
God had told him that he was to be the progenitor of a great nation. Instead
of criticizing him, God said to him: "... “Look up at the sky and count the
stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your
offspring be.” " Gen.15:5NIV
There are far too many stars for anyone to be able to count them, but that
was precisely the point of God's exercise. Abraham needed to be reminded
of God's unfathomable creative power.
Effie Campbell translated
20th November 2024
Three epitaphs
“He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The
child is not dead but asleep.” ”
Mark.5.39NIV
In the cemetery in Ribe, there are three tombstones, all bearing the name
Daugaard. There are three children, 2 boys and a girl, of Bishop J.B.
Daugaard, who are buried there. Daugaard was bishop 1850-67. There was
no big age difference between these children. First the girl died.
On her tombstone, the father put the following words: "... The child is not
dead but asleep.” Mark. 5.39
Now the bishop had two adult boys left, both of whom were training to be
priests.
The older of them died just before his final exam.
On his tombstone the father put these words: “... “your son will live.” ...”
John4:50NIV
Now the bishop had only one child left, a son who had completed his
training as a priest and who was soon to take up a priestly office.
But before that happened, the father had to also put him in a grave next to
his other two children.
The epitaph the priest now put was: "... “He has done everything well,”
...”
Mark.7: 37NIV
A. translated
19th November 2024
Where are you going?
"“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the
road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the
gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. "
Matthew 7:13-14NIV
Speed and pace characterize our century. Never before have so many
traveled so often, so far and so fast as we do today. Often we have to
wonder where they are going, those who come towards us with furious
speed in endless lines on the roads. Obviously, they have a goal. It would
surprise us greatly if we met someone dashing like a whirlwind along the
road without knowing what was his destination. Completely pointless!
You are on a journey today. You travel through life. The seconds and
minutes pass quickly. The speed is increasing more and more. Because you
must have a goal? Or is your life journey also meaningless?
What good is it if you can enjoy the journey on a wide highway in a luxury
model if you drive in wrong direction?
You have to choose between two paths. One is driven by those who do not
know what the goal of their journey is, but who take comfort in the fact
that many are driving the same road as them. That road ends in perdition.
The other way leads to heaven, to God. “‘He will wipe every tear from
their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for
the old order of things has passed away.” ” Rev.21:4NIV Are you on your
way there? That way is called Jesus Christ, the one who hung on the cross
to atone for your sins and who has prepared a home for you in heaven.
Where are you heading? What is your destination?
“Himmelveien” Effie Campbell translated
18th November 2024
Those who are victorious
”Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no
longer any sea.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling
place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be
his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’
or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning
and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of
the water of life.
Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and
they will be my children.”
Rev.21:1-7NIV
17th November 2024
Man - where are you?
“But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?””
Genesis 3:9NIV
We all know this tragic tale from the first days of man. The happy carefree
existence in the garden of Eden was destroyed when people under Satan's
influence and power broke God's order and commandments.
In this situation, Adam should have cried out to God, fallen down before
Him and asked for mercy and purification. Instead, he hides and covers
himself. The sinner does not seek God and cry: "My God, where are you?",
but God seeks the sinner and calls: "Adam, where are you?"
This is also the situation today. The sheep get lost and cannot find their
way back to the fold, but the good shepherd – Jesus – seeks out the lost
sheep and carries them back home on his shoulders.
Sin creates fear. Fear often creates bad nerves and neuroses. We may
wonder how and why divorces, crimes and drug abuse are on the rise.
What is the reason for that? What lies behind the young lawbreaker, the
unhappy broken homes or the young girl who loses her innocence?
Investigations and conversations would ideally lead to many different
explanations and answers, but behind them all we find the orc, the serpent,
who is also active in our days and misleads and tricks people into breaking
God's word. Where have you been hiding? Have you been hiding in
entertainment, business or science?
There was nothing wrong with the tree that Adam and Eve hid behind, but
God had not created it as a hiding place. Through say servants, to and
meetings and similar places God is looking for you. where are you?
You who read this little request: The Lord has found you and wants to talk
to you. Therefore say: “Lord, here I am. Forgive me all my sin and save
my soul.”
Torkild Terkelsen. "Heavenly Road". Effie Campbell translated
16th November 2024
God will send holiness revival!(2:2)
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not
be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on
wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to
God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”
Eph. 5:15-20NIV
”Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you
do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. ”
1 Tim. 4:16NIV
Continuation
We may not have noticed the moral decay that characterizes our time. We
know that provisions for good morals and the decay of morals are not
merely linked to sexual life, but they are a large part of the explanation
why everything has started to go wrong. Recently, the Norwegian NRK
has warned in several TV broadcasts that a ruthless gender morality will be
introduced into Norwegian homes. It is argued that the only downside to
fornication and promiscuity is that you may end up having a child. In the
conversations that are broadcast all over Norway, the ethical foundation of
coexistence between people is not mentioned at all. It is only the technical
and the emotionally cold and carnal individuals that they make something
out of. This is the morality of our time.
Should we, who preach the Word, with indulgence and slackness give this
kind of gender morality space and opportunities for development? If we
who preach the Word today do not preach holiness and stand firm on the
Bible's foundation and provisions against the currents we encounter in our
time, then we may well wave goodbye to any possibility of deeper spiritual
revival and progress in our time. Judgment must begin at God's house
(1.Pet.4:17NIV). We must experience a holiness revival now if we are not
to get lost.
The responsibility rests heavily on us who preach the Word in our day. I
don't like to criticize neither the young nor the old, but I would judge
myself for not having done what I should, and I ask God to forgive me for
not speaking out clearly and distinctly from our pulpits as well as in the
media. I thereby ease my conscience, now that I announce that in the
future I approve of the old biblical regulations both in life and in doctrine.
I do not wish to appear as a moralist a moral preacher who judges
everything and everyone, but I want to be a role model for other Christians
with my life if possible. May God help me to be faithful in this!
When we bring our bodies before God, then everything must also be clean
and holy. Everything assumed and unnatural must be removed. Tobacco,
alcohol and drugs must of course be banned and ugly words and unholy
empty talk must end. We have to both take care of ourselves (the outside)
and the teachings, and if we persevere in this, it will save both ourselves
and others who may listen to us. (1 Tim. 4:16).
We are reminded not to conform to this world, but let ourselves be
transformed by the renewing of the mind. (Rom.12:2). The currents,
fashion trends, the unnatural constitution that leaves its mark on today's
world man, we must protest against this by being natural, pure and holy
ourselves. Nor must we squander or live like princes, when large parts of
our world live below the hunger line. If today we were to say goodbye to
everything we use on our bodies just to look good in the eyes of people,
then we would have a staggering amount to use for preaching of the Word
in our people as well as in other places in the world.
A revival in which men are sanctified, that is what Christendom needs
most of all. Through a holiness revival, which is also a bridal revival, we
are prepared for the harvest of souls and go out to meet the bridegroom
with boldness. It is only when we live as wise that make the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil. (Eph. 5:15-16)
Oddvar Tegnander, headmaster. "Heavens road". (Abridged.) Effie Campbell
15th November 2024
God will send holiness revival!(1:2)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to
offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is
your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to
test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Rom. 12:1-2NIV
One thing that makes many Christians reconcile with the spirit of the
world, materialism and the flesh, is that holiness is preached too seldom.
We who preach the Word are too docile and yielding. We try to please man
more than God. We dare not put God's will and ways forth when it comes
to the Bible's requirements for holiness, because we fear offending certain
people. We have become slaves of men instead of servants of God. It has
become easier over time to dismiss these reminders as merely critical. But
when we reject the reminders, we help to take the power out of the salt that
is to work against rot and we turn off the light that should thus illuminate
and shine in the darkness.
Why should we fear the reminders? Paul was not afraid to raise his index
finger. Some Christian people meet Paul's reminders in Rom.12,1-2, which
is above, with the answer that we should not be so tied to the outside, as
this only leads to conflicts and misunderstandings. Here we must not
forget that our inner state always shows itself and reflects the outer state.
We should be alert and pay attention to how behavior changes.
The reminder therefore says that we should “... offer our bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” It's the exterior, right? If our inner
man is filled with love for this world, if we desire the dirty spirit that
appears in our time and that appears in literature, newspapers, radio and
TV news, in fashion as well as in music, etc., then we will also
automatically live like and behave like children of the world.
For my part, I have chosen a restrained and conservative way of life
precisely because the danger is so great in our time. What used to be
unshakably fixed is now in flux, Rules and norms are being torn apart
today, the currents of time are taking many with them – not only what was
wrong in the past, but also the strength, virtue and honor of old times. I
can't force others to live like me. Nor do I escape the criticism of people,
people who believe in new ways and new working methods in the
preaching of God. I can only live as the Holy Spirit gives me to live.
Many people believe that we need new working methods, new church
buildings, new organ, new choir, etc. This is not what God's church needs
today. Rather, it is the old power that the apostles had. This is the one we
want and if we had it in our congregations, then life would come and we
would have new preachers of the Word, the same old ones, but now just
filled with the power of the Holy Spirit...(Charles Price).
The weapons Christians use in their warfare seem ridiculous to the world.
The plan that went so perfectly against Jericho, it would have been sneered
at by today's generals. Gideon's small army had met only insults and what
shall we say of David's sling and of God's soldiers up through the ages.
The spiritual mind knows that God does not take sides with the great army,
but that He rather chooses that which is weak, poor and degraded, so that
He can be glorified through it. (William MacDonald).
God's way of working is different from man's.
Can men “... offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God”, if they are dressed or undressed in such a way as to cause offense in
God's church and arouse lust from the opposite sex?
To be continued...
14 November 2024
The sea
“If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have
been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.”
Isaiah 48:18NIV
When you were young, you could occasionally hear older Faroese
islanders say: "What blessed ocean!"
It could be at a special event, for example when there were fish and whales
in abundance, or when you were at sea on a beautiful, quiet morning with
the morning sun's reddish sky out on the horizon, where the first reddish
rays of light were reflected in the glittering and dancing sea surface.
For us Faroese, who reside the Faroes it is so close to us, indeed, almost
natural to think and talk about the sea. Faroese literature is greatly
influenced by the greatness of the sea. The sea has sung its lovely melody
over our cradle and into our hearts, and with it it has also contributed to
our minds by its alluring power.
It is as if our Creator has placed such a longing for the sea in our people
and mind and it is easy to understand, because we are so firmly and closely
connected to the sea in one way or another. From the sea we get most of
what is required for the country's household as well as the household for
each individual home. Therefore, we have every reason to bless and thank
the Lord for the sea with which He has encircled us.
In our Bible we find many places where the Lord uses the sea as an
example to illustrate the relationship between us humans and Him. In
particular, it is regarding his promises and covenant of peace with us, but
we must make it clear to ourselves that this is always conditional on us
paying attention and being attentive when God speaks to us: “If only you
had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a
river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18NIV
It is only God who, with Jesus Christ's act of atonement on Calvary, can
give the outlaw and sin-ridden man the peace and justice that he longs for
deep down.
He not only can, but He longs to fill our lives with peace, justice and joy.
And it is as if God wants to show it to us so strongly that it cannot be
misunderstood.
He compares the peace He will give to a flood. The word flood means,
among other things, fullness – overflowing! When the sea washes over our
beaches, every cave and dredging on the seashore is also filled, all the
rough and uneven ground, cliffs and stony survace has disappeared under
the mantle of water, which hides it and makes it peaceful.
Some of the last things Jesus said to his friends were the words: “Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ”
John 14:27NIV
"... your well-being like the waves of the sea." It should reflect purity and
strength.
In the prophet Micah we read in chapter 7, verse 19: “You will again have
compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our
iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
How deep is the sea, the ocean, where is it deepest? I don't know the
answer?
But we know that there is a great depth. God is not petty. He does not say
that He will forgive our sins so that He will throw our sins into a shallow
place. No, into the depths of the sea and from there they can never emerge
again.
Not even Satan's trapping tools can reach down there.
Thank you, God, also for the sea of grace!
Cl. Eliassen
13th November 2024
The depressed man
”All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I
will never drive away.”
John 6:37NIV
A young man in Merika suffered from depression. Several doctors had
examined him, but they could not find the cause of his depression. The
parents therefore sent their son to Dr. Torrey, who was a neurologist in
addition to preaching the word of God.
The day was drawing to a close when this young man came to the doctor's
home. When they sat at the dinner table, Dr. Torrey asked if he believed
the Bible's narratives to be reliable.
"Yes, I believe so." replied the young man.
"Do you believe we can trust what Jesus says in John 6:37: "... whoever
comes to me I will never drive away. "
"Yes, I find it reliable."
"Good," said Dr. Torrey, "shouldn't we go to him?"
"No, God's word does not speak to my heart."
"Well, Jesus did not say that he would receive us when the word of God
spoke to our hearts. He said: "... whoever comes to me I will never drive
away. "
"Well, you see, my heart is as hard as stone and is not swayed by the word
of God."
"Jesus did not say that those who come to him with soft hearts he would
never drive away, but he said on the contrary: "... whoever comes to me I
will never drive away. "
"It may well be, but I don't like coming to him.."
"It is possible," said Dr.Torrey, "but Jesus did not say that he would never
drive away those who liked to come to him, but he said: "... whoever
comes to me I will never drive away. "
The young man now sat thoughtfully for a while and stared ahead.
Then Dr. Torrey said to him: "Shouldn't the two of us go to him now?"
A moment now passed, then the young man rose and went over to the sofa
and bent his knees there. Dr.Torrey knelt beside him and said: "Now I will
pray, but you must repeat every single sentence I say."
Dr.Torrey then began to pray and the young man repeated everything,
every sentence, that the doctor said: "Dear Jeuss, you see that this young
man comes to you according to your word in John 6:37: "... whoever
comes to me I will never drive away. " He believes you at your word, that
you have received him, and Lord, you will strengthen and preserve him in
the time that lies before us."
They got up again and Dr. Torrey said to him: "When you go to bed
tonight, Satan will come to you and say that what you did tonight was
lying to yourself. It is delusion and self-deception to think that Jesus has
accepted you in such a cheap way. Whatever he may say to you to make
you doubt the promises of the Saviour, just answer him that Jesus said: "...
whoever comes to me I will never drive away. " and in him I will trust.””
The following morning at the breakfast table, Dr. Torrey immediately
asked him how it had gone.
"Well," he replied, "it went as you said. Satan came and he had various
reproaches and objections, but I held fast to what Jesus had said. Now I am
at peace with God, and I am overjoyed because I now belong to him.”
Dear friend, please notice that Dr.Torrey takes this promise of Jesus and
places it above all discussion. Now you do the same! Hold on to the
promises Jesus made. They are for you and anyone else who wants to
receive them.
E.Campbell translated
12rd November 2024
Being ready
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the
Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”
Rev. 19:7NIV
In several places in our Bible we are told to be ready and get ready and we
are encouraged to do this in good time. What we have to get ready for is to
meet God.
Various images are used to illustrate this. In the above Bible verse, a
wedding party is used as an image and we often find the same image in our
Bible. In the Old Testament, the relationship between God and people is
shown with the image of a marriage and which links people to their God.
Man must prepare to meet him to whom they are already bound to by
covenant.
This idea is not broken in the New Testament, but still the image is used in
a slightly different way. Here, for example, in this word that we have
before us, the wedding feast itself is in the future, and is related to the day
when Christ returns in his glory. The bridegroom is Christ and the bride is
his church.
It is only natural, if things are right, that the bride looks forward to the
wedding feast and to meeting the groom and that she does everything that
can be done to be ready when the groom comes. Christ's church will do the
same. It will get ready to meet its savior when he comes in his glory and
looks forward to this.
In a way, we all know that we must meet God, either as judge or as savior
and that it will be when it has to be, but the reality is that we see this day
as something far, far away. It's not always that we get time to prepare and
contemplate about it much, "Before I know it, death can occur at the door."
Others again get a long-term sick leave and thus get more time to come to
their senses, we might say.
But all the same, as it is written here, you must be ready. If you're ready,
you can always go away and that's how each of us must live, being ready.
Always ready to meet God.
How do we get ready?
When we live our lives together with God in prayer and faith and let God
organize and determine our lives, then we are ready for every moment it
might be to meet him in glory, and if this is the case with us, let us rejoice
and be glad and give him glory, praise God for the life He has given us,
for the help He gives us to live it and for the hope of sharing in that great
joy one day.
Hoegni Poulsen, priest
11th November 2024
Believe in God
”Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what
we do not see.”
Heb. 11:1NIV
An old fisherman had to go out one morning to take up his fishing nets.
This is long before modern navigation equipment, GPS, mobile phones etc.
became common property.
While he is now in the process of pulling his fishing nets inside the boat,
the fog suddenly comes over him and settles tightly around the boat. It
became so black that he could hardly see further than a boat's length.
Now how was he supposed to navigate home? What course should he row?
He could do nothing but sit down and wait. Perhaps the fog would clear so
it would lighten up again. But when it didn't look like it was going to be
like that, he folded his hands, prayed to God and said. “Dear Heavenly
Father! I can row but you have to steer!”
Then he took hold of the oars and began rowing. What course he took,
well, he had no idea. He now sat and rowed for some time untill he felt
that the boat was stuck on a sandy beach. Thus he must have come to the
coast. He now turned around and tried to orientate himself through the
thick fog and could immediately recognize the door to his own boat shed.
Now he had to fold his hands once more. This time to thank Him who
rules all things so well, even his own little fishing boat.
Chr. Hoej translated
10th November 2024
Salary and joy of life
"He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the
treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."
Hebrews 11:26NIV
We are allowed to take comfort in the reward that awaits each faithful
servant, - to rejoice in the hour which is the very purpose of life.
Yet bliss in heaven is not the goal of those who are saved. Jesus has
appointed us to bear fruit. How is your life? - is it an ornament and a letter
of recommendation for him who bought you so dearly? Has he found
many fruits on your tree of life. He comes now and examines whether he
can find in you: Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness,
faithfulness, eloquence and temperance.
And he searches to find more fruit, he searches our heart to know if we
have something of his mind and character—he who lived life and died to
bring as many as possible home to where he is. - And what does he see ...
that you merely think little about others but raher think: if only I could
enter through heaven's door by my own power, then everything would be
good. But what would you have said if he came just now and found your
heart filled with the things of the world and idols, with anger and envy
instead of love, long-suffering and goodness, - and that he found no care
for souls.
We are created, we are saved to serve Him. Each saved lives for Jesus, so
that the others who are outside his blessed community can also be able to
see him, the wonderful savior. This is the purpose of life, and each disciple
who cannot see this, he has not yet seen the glory of Jesus, and therefore
he does not know even half the joy of life.
p.s
9th November 2024
Climb even higher
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range
and see the land I have given the Israelites.”
Numbers 27:12NIV
The highest mountain in the eastern part of the United States is Mount
Mitchell, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Many
years ago, Dr. Elisha Mitchell said that this mountain peak was higher than
any other in that area and therefore he set out alone to defeat it. Just before
he reached the very top, he suddenly lost his footing, fell down and died.
He was buried on the same mountain that now bears his name. You can see
his grave to this day. His friends wrote on his tombstone: "He reached the
heights to rest in peace."
In Switzerland, the tombstone of another mountaineer bears the simple
inscription: "He died while climbing." Many have struggled and toiled
their way up through streams in steep rocky mountains, because up there –
away from the world – they feel closer to God. It was up on top of Mount
Moriah that Abraham and Isaac had their most precious experience with
God. It was on Mount Sinai that God appeared in a cloud of smoke and
gave the Ten Commandments. On Mount Carmel, Elijah defended the God
of Israel before those who worshiped Baal.
Jesus set out one evening with Peter, James and John to climb a high
mountain. While he was praying, his Father sent Elijah and Moses from
heaven to have a conversation with his Son, and the mountain top was
hidden in a radiant glory. On a mountain called the Mount of Olives he
ascended to heaven and on the very same mountain he will stand again
when the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven.
When Moses was 120 years old he was asked to climb Mount Nebo
(Abarim) where he was to die. From this mountaintop he looked across the
fertile and lush green valley of the Jordan River and across to the wooded
ridges of the Promised Land. For 40 years Moses had looked forward to
the day when he would lead the people into Canaan, the Promised Land.
But because of his sin at Kadesh, he lost this privilege and had to die on
Mount Nebo. But Jesus raised him back to life and took him to the
heavenly Canaan.
If you want to be allowed to see the Promised Land, the land God will one
day give to His faithful children, then open your Bible and read chapters
11 and 35 of Isaiah and then chapter 21 and 22 of Revelation. From the
mountaintops of these four wonderful chapters you can also look across to
the other side and see the Promised Land.
"Reach out" - translated by Effie Campbell
8th November 2024
Congregations that create ties between the generations
”My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
John 15:12NIV
What are the fruits of congregations that build bridges between the
generations? It is that people thrive. Otherwise, you hear that the young are
fleeing the congregations. It is said that if a teenager knows 5 adults in the
congregation in addition to their parents, and that the adults know their
name, know what class they are in, greet them, then there is a greater
possibility that they will stay and thrive in the congregation . But even
after they have moved, they have a relationship with the congregation that
means they feel they belong there and want it to stay that way.
I think the same is true for parents of young children and adults in their
40s. If someone knows them, they will stay there. In this way, the faith
takes hold from one generation to the next. There must be a connection
from the coffee in the parish hall to the coffee at home at the kitchen table.
But the relationship may begin over coffee in the parish hall. Studies show
that relationships and social ties are the reason why many people thrive
and feel good there. In challenging times in life, there may be many who
do not come to meetings anywhere. But from the one relationship, or from
the five, they come back because there are some "who know me there".
Effie Campbell translated
7th November 2024
He keeps what he promises
”The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
1.Thess.5:24NIV
An old man testified one evening in the Congregation House in Tórshavn.
He said that he had not grown up with his parents but in another house
there in the same village.
Inside this house lived an old woman, and when she was 83 years old she
was on her deathbed. A younger woman sat by her bed, watching over her.
The old woman had fallen into a heavy sleep. But at 3-4 o'clock she
opened her eyes, was completely ready and said, radiantly happy: "Jesus
said he would come for me at 3!"
Then she fell back into a heavy sleep. At 12 o'clock she woke up again and
said: “He said he would come. Do you think he will come?”
"If he has promised it, he also keeps his word. He will probably come,”
answered the young woman.
Then she again fell into a heavy sleep, but five minutes to three she awoke,
was quite ready, rose a little from the pillow, and said: "Oh, if you could
only see what I see!" Then she fell back onto the pillow and was gone,
carried into eternity.
Effie Campbell
The tongue
”Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
Jak.3:5NIV
Neerskov once said when he visited the Faroe Islands that for many years
he had the following scripture next to his phone: “But I tell you that
everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty
word they have spoken. ”
Matthew 12:36NIV
Yes, we must shake our heads when we let our thoughts dwell on how
many ugly and slanderous and slanderous words our tongues have
expressed. We who often become aware that our own assessments and
reasons are wrong, how should we then be able to assess and judge the
reasons of others.
Oh, remember that the tongue the Lord gave you
once the accounts must give for you
whether it has spoken of Jesus!
A day to him every knee will bow
every tongue shall testify and confess,
that the King and Lord Jesus is
Effie Campbell
5th November 2024
Faithfulness
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”
Psalm 145:17NIV
One of my former students wrote to me after I said that the first word that
came to mind when I thought of the student's blessed father was the word,
"faithful."
And then the memories of his childhood came flooding back to him. He
said that one of his father's favorite songs was, "Great is thy faithfulness."
They often used the chorus as a table prayer. The second verse drives away
all fear of climate change and the last verse drives away all fear of death.
The mental state of the world would be better if this song were used as a
morning song in schools at least once a week.
The chorus is good for reminding us who it is that gives us the breath of
life and the days. It is in His hands that we must place our lives, and He
will surely take care of us when all else fails. We do not have to fear all the
threats that the world community puts before us.
1 Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. [Refrain]
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed Thy hand hath provided:
great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest;
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]
4th November 2024
Sown in powerlessness or omnipotence
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”
Psalm 145:17NIV
A man in the Salvation Army told me this story: A man who was a soldier
in the Salvation Army was active in a corps in the Eastern countries. Every
Wednesday evening they were out on the street having street meetings.
They sang, brass bands played and there were speeches and testimonies,
but people never came to listen.
Then the horn blower says: "Well I don't mind these street meetings
anymore. We waste time and effort, because no one is listening.” Several
others agreed with him. On Sunday evening, a stranger came to the
meeting in the parish hall. It was an older man, and he sat at the back of
the hall. When the opportunity arose to speak in free testimony this man
stood up to speak.
"When you held an outdoor meeting on Wednesday evening, I opened the
window and I heard everything, because we live quite close. I was very
moved by the song, "Tell me the story of Jesus". I used to be a Christian
and know the gospel, and at that time that song had a great meaning for
me. But I drifted further and further away from Jesus and finally I found
myself in the world. My wife is very ill and bedridden. I went upstairs to
her to tell her as it was that now I had chosen to convert to Jesus.
"Yes, I have also been lying here in bed and heard the song and the
speech," she said. Then she took off the covers and got out of bed and
stepped onto the floor, and we both knelt down to pray. We gave our lives
to the Lord and now we want to live for Him for the rest of our lives," the
man concluded.
Therefore do not lose heart, dear friend, seeds that are sown in faithfulness
will in the day of harvest bring growth and fruit.
Effie Campbell
3rd November 2024
Say "God Bless You"
"“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”"
Numbers 6:27NIV
God's Word is full of life, wisdom, truth, power and untapped potential.
When God created the world, He simply said: "let there be..." Every word
He says has in itself the power to create what it says. Every promise He
makes has within it the seed to fulfill that promise. The seed has a fixed
"season" when they bear fruit in life, and when they are watered with
trusting prayer, and you stand firm on His Word all while waiting for His
right moment - then His Word cannot fail.
When you understand this truth, the words, "God bless you" truly become
unimaginably powerful! When we utter these words, God's blessings are
unleashed and poured out upon our lives. When you say: "God bless
you,..." then God supports. When you bless... people... in my name, I
myself will bless them.” So if you want to bless your loved ones, express
these words of blessing over them: "" Numbers 6,24-26
If you ask someone: "How are you?", then it is a polite wording and shows
that you are thoughtful. And when you say: "My wish is for your day to be
good," you really mean it. But when you say, "God bless you," and
understand the biblical meaning of these words, a blessing from God can
change this person's life!
"...a word for the day" - translated by Effie Campbell.
2nd November 2024
Do not be led into temptation
““This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed
be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we
also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from the evil one.’”
Matt.6:9-13NIV
Unni Fredstad spoke at Visjon Norge
There she said, among other things, the following:
I have a friend. Once she calls me and says that she has now started to
deal with occult matters and that it is very exciting.
I answer her saying it's not good, and then I try to tell her that it might
seem exciting at first, but later she'll feel bad about herself. However, she
maintains her position.
Some time passes and then she calls back and says that she feels that
something bad has entered her and that she doesn't want that. She then asks
me if I can help her.
I then answer her that she must abjure and renounce all evil, and that she
must repeat every sentence I utter. I then begin to say the creed: "I
renounce the Devil and all his works and all his being..." And she repeats it
after me. When I have finished the confession of faith, it comes from her:
"Hey, listen I feel that something in my heart has disappeared. How good it
is. Thank you for wanting to help me.” We must stay away from
everything occult, because it is not to be played with.
Effie Campbell
1st November 2024
God yes! But Jesus?
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the
man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has
now been witnessed to at the proper time. "
1.Tim.2:5-6NIV
In 1976, a book was published with the title: "God yes! But Jesus?” It was
Wilhelm Busch, a German pastor who spent most of his life as a youth
pastor in Essen, who wrote the book.
People can easily put God in their mouths, but when it comes to
mentioning Jeuss, the tongue tends to want to curl up, so that it is not so
easy to say his name - except when they curse and sulphur! Why is it like
this? Well, because all salvation depends on the name Jesus. God has not
attached salvation to Himself, but He has put a mediator between God and
us humans. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and
mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all
people ..." 1 Tim.2:5-6 NIV
How do we share in this? By receiving it!
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave
the right to become children of God— " John 1:12NIV
Why are we not saved by simply believing in God? Because this world is
full of so-called "gods" who are nothing but idols. "Whoever has the Son
has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. " 1 John
5:12NIV. Jesus himself says: "... “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. ” John 14:6NIV
There is only one true faith by which we can live and die: it is faith in
Jesus Christ, God the Son. Jesus himself said: “My Father’s house has
many rooms...” John14:2NIV. But there is only one door to God's
dwellings: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved ...”
John 10:9NIV
Jesus is the door! But some do not want to hear about that part. I tell you:
Only faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is a saving faith by which we
can live and die.
Effie Campbell
