Silent Time

Does God only care for certain matters and selected people?  We may not be able to imagine that God takes care of all matters of all people and even for each animal as well, because as humans we can only focus at a certain number of things at a time, but God as the almighty creator takes care for all, the bible tells us that God cares for all people, no matter what background or origin or circumst...

People have different interests depending on life's circumstances and also depending on the age and other factors. One is mainly interested in playing games, another loves to spend time gardening, another one pursues his business, another is active in the stock market, others go hiking or join festivals, events and parties. To where do you turn your heart?  The psalmist prays: Psalm 119 [36]. If w...

What do you do, when you have eaten?  Only very few people remember to give thanks to the Lord, for the food and for everything else. Yet, that perfectly makes sense, because God puts it all in a bigger context. If we do not give thanks, then it was just a consumption of something that happended to be there. But by giving thanks and praise to the Lord, we put it into a bigger context: the almighty...

Have you ever felt trapped in a situation that seemed hopeless? Whether deserved or not, times in jail can be desperate, whether literally in prison or in a transferred sense. But the Bible offers powerful examples of how God's presence can transform even the darkest circumstances. In Genesis 39 [20 - 23] we read about Joseph's unjust imprisonment. Despite his dire circumstances, Joseph experience...

Have you ever felt that God has turned away from you in times of need? Throughout history people in the end got blessed, who were longing for God's presence and relying on his goodness, despite having to go through temporary difficulties. In Isaiah 63 [15 - 16] God's people cried out, "Lord, look upon us from heaven, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where is your great concern for us? Where...

For everything there is a season, for joy and for sadness, a time to be quiet and and time to speak out. For everything there is an appropriate time appointed by the Lord, Ecclesiastes 3 [1 - 7] For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to c...

Despite all the cultural differences between regions and countries, as well as between the past and today, one thing we have in common: everyone needs to eat and drink to nourish the body. Some suffer scarcity being locked in hold captive. Others have more than enough in abundance. Praise the Lord and give thanks every time you have a meal to enjoy. And yet, food and drink will ultimately not be t...

It can be terrible to be left alone. In ordinary life it can be hard to be left alone, and how much more in serious crises and difficult situations. People may leave us behind. And sometimes it might even feel as if even God left us alone. But God never leaves us. For example the psalmist prayed in Psalm 33 [22]: I was terrified and thought, “They've chased me far away from you!” But you answered...

Who cares for you? Do you have anyone who cares about and for you? Praise the Lord, if you are blessed with caring persons such as among family and friends, who care and provide for you, who intercede and support. But even if you feel totally alone, as if no one would care at all, still, there is a strong provider, the Lord himself. He does not simply fulfill all our wishes, often we have to wait...

This life here on earth alone has a lot of questions. And beyond that the question may be asked: Will everyone enter heaven? Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to be his follower will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do God's will, for example in the gospel to Matthew 7 [21]: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does...

What do you hold on to, that you should let go? It might be to give up unhealthy habits such as smoking. Or to turn off the TV on time in order to get sufficient sleep. Or to stop using abusive language that takes energy from family members, friends and colleagues and rather taking own responsibility for one's life and happiness. Or it might be to give back something stolen. Or simply to stop bein...

When driving a conventional vehicle, it is important to be concentrated. Have you ever been in critical situations of driving while being sleepy? Like a driver of a small older car who was tired but nevertheless driving on the highway with high speed and without noticing it he fell asleep for a short moment. When he opened the eyes, his car was very close to a huge truck, an extremely dangerous si...

When was the last time you felt overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty, wondering how you could possibly face what lies ahead? Throughout all kinds of situations, God encourages you to remain calm and trust in His promises, even when the world around you seems threatening. In Isaiah 7 [4], God sends a message through the prophet Isaiah to a fearful king: “Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he does no...

"This is love" - might be the title of a song talking about affection and romance. And that is one meaning of the word love, of course. But the much more important meaning of love is to want the best for the other person, to bless, to help and to build up. We are not perfect in that, but God fully shows such love, despite we do not deserve it: this is real love - not that we loved God, but that he...

What is more precious than gold? We may think of certain rare materials that are more precious. But for the personal life, other matters are more relevant. What is important for you? Health? Family? Success? Peter explains in his first letter that faith is tested similar as gold is tested: both are tested by fire; and if we hold on to God in faith even when going through fire, through challenges a...

Keep up your courage "Keep up your courage", that can be empty words, if a person is not really interested and just gives such words as a quick good bye. But the same words can also be a real encouragement, if someone is interested and tries to find solutions and offers help and advice. How much more, if the advice is not just from a mere human but from the holy eternal God himself. "Keep up your...

What are the vanities you tend to look at? Career, comfort, possessions, pleasure, events, or constant new experiences can all be enjoyed if received with thanksgiving. Yet they shall not become more important than the One who gives every good gift. The word of God reminds us to turn our eyes from looking at vanities. The psalmist prays: “Help me to understand your Law; I promise to obey it with a...

What is detestable to you? It might be a specifically severe crime. Or something else which is totally not acceptable.  God warns his people especially not to involve in occult practices such as fortune-telling, Deutoronomy 18 [10-12] Let no one be found among you who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, nor use spells, nor who is a medium nor a spiritist nor a...

In the world there is a lot of unrest: in several places there are wars and crimes going on, oppression, discrimination and persecution, so that people need to leave their homes and flee, becoming refugees and strangers.  And even in places and countries where all seems to be calm, still there is often strife in the households, envy and greed within the societies, arrogance and selfishness, fear a...

Have you ever promised an everlasting love?  People may promise that when getting married or in other occassions. All too often, after a while, people disappoint each other, hurt each other in thoughts and words. But there is a real everlasting love, that truely deserves the name, lasting beyond this life, even in eternity.

What is good for the heart?

Turning back Does it mean being sad and depressed?

Looking deeper

“If you turn to me, I turn to you”

Set Free from Prison