In Psalm 145:1-10, David encourages us to worship God, to trust him and to proclaim his goodness. Here are some thoughts on how to put this into practice:

Let us give God the place he deserves. He is our King (verse 1). We respect his words. Let us praise Him every day (verse 2). We can only marvel at God’s ineffable greatness and thank Him (verse 3).

We are called to pass on God’s glory to future generations and to speak enthusiastically about Him (verses 4-7). This could be translated as: ‘As the old sounds, so the young sing.’

We keep our faith alive by talking about God, thinking about him, sharing our experiences, valuing him and praising him.

Those who learn from history do not have to repeat it. With God’s help, we can break new ground.

We should tell others about our experiences with God so that they will talk about them and praise His goodness and justice (verses 6-7). Jesus says in Matthew 5:16: ‘Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’

God’s power (verse 1) is linked to his goodness and justice (verse 7). God’s grace is an undeserved gift (verses 8-9). He is searching for us. His goal is a relationship based on love. Those who accept God’s love return it and will praise God (verse 10).

5.7.25

Hamas: The response we conveyed to the mediators is characterized by positivity, ready to immediately enter into negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing the agreement.

Hamas’ public response does not yet indicate that the deal is closed. Based on past experience, we should waiting to receive Hamas’ full response, including comments and objections. Hamas’ public statement is aimed primarily at the Palestinian public in Gaza who are not willing to accept a situation in which Hamas thwarts the deal.

Continue reading Israel 2025 →

As Paul had promised, he returned to Ephesus. Like Jesus, he preached about the kingdom of God and not about optimising life (Acts 19:8-22). Extraordinary miracles took place through Paul.

After the failed attempt by the seven sons of Skeva to drive out spirits with the name of Jesus, it became clear that Jesus would not allow himself to be instrumentalised. Complete submission to his rule (kingdom of God) is necessary. It is therefore important that Jesus is accepted as Lord.

In magic, people try to utilise spiritual powers for personal advantage. In doing so, they become dependent on people and spirits.

Hidden sins are revealed in the presence of God. This is the reason spiritual books were publicly burnt in Ephesus.

The kingdom of God cannot be instrumentalised for our purposes. We must recognise Jesus as Lord and King.

The parable of the wasteful manager (Luke 16:1-13) is confusing. This is shown by the different headings of the Bible translations of this story.

The shocking part of the story is: ‘The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness’.

We have to break down the story from the end. Verse 12 says: ‘And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?’

From taking wasteful, he switches to giving wasteful.

The more liberated we are from ourselves, the more God can entrust to us.

God’s mercy should become visible in us. It should be seen what we experience by God.

What matters is not what we have, but what friends we have.

So what is the secret of a good manager?

He does not revolve around himself, but puts himself in the position of his neighbour. He reaches out again and again. He does not allow himself to be instrumentalised, but builds friendships.

new reports on

Israel Gaza 2024

27.5.24

Monday morning, there was an unexpected exchange of fire between IDF forces and Egyptian army soldiers near the Rafah crossing. Reports on four Egyptian soldiers that were killed. According to the IDF the Egyptians opened fire first. No casualties reported on the Israeli side.

The area from which rockets were launched in Rafah towards Tel Aviv.
The Israeli army deliberately stayed out of this area because of the displaced and did not enter it, for humanitarian reasons. Hamas fired rockets from it.

Contrary to the claims of the Arabs – the killing of senior Hamas officials was carried out in the Rafah area, and not in the safe zone defined by the IDF. The place of execution of senior Hamas officials in Rafah is near UNRWA warehouses in the west of the city more than a kilometer away from the safe zone. And this is in contrast to the Arabs’ claims that the IDF bombing was in the safe zone

In the displaced tent in Rafah, several long-range missiles were found that exploded on them.

Continue reading Israel october war 2023 →

Jesus says: ‘Eternal life has already begun. Whoever comes to living faith has eternal life (John 6:47).

The surprising thing is that eternal life begins when we connect with Jesus.

We are not followers of Jesus in order to be with God one day. Rather, God wants to be with us and share life with us now. We are building a relationship with God now that will last for all eternity.

So our present life is not there to obtain eternal life with God. It is about divine life being revealed and experienced in the here and now.

In the temple, the first followers of Jesus took part in the public prayers and readings (Acts 2:46-47). At that time, there were no Bibles for individuals. So reading the Holy Scriptures together was an important part. Even today, reading the Bible together opens up new perspectives.

They celebrated together in their homes. These were probably Continue reading Together on the way →

Jesus goes to the heavenly Father (Acts 1:9-11) and thus clears the way for the direct work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). The heavenly Father determines the time of his return (Acts 1:7).

With his ascension, Jesus has completed his first mission on earth. He has gone in the flesh to a real, otherworldly place. He promised to prepare dwellings there for his followers (John 14:2). Jesus has not vanished into a spirit world, but is seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father (Acts 7:56).

The two angels make it clear to the disciples that they should not dwell on the past, but live with the vision of the coming reign of God (Acts 1:11).  Continue reading Living with the vision of the coming kingdom →

At the end of the year, we take stock.

Jesus once said: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

This is where we draw up a profit and loss account and compare the two. What is profit? What is loss?

There is hope. One who balances the books. One who saves damaged souls and gives new life: Jesus Christ. He says: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest“ (Matthäus 11,28). No matter what the balance of your life looks like at the moment.

Before the end of the year, it is good to take a time out, give God our loss, surrender to God and start into the new year with God’s help.

Rashi, a Jewish scholar, made it clear: “When a person is judged, he stands alone before his Creator. He has no one to whom he can transfer responsibility (for his actions) or to whom he can hold himself accountable for his mistakes.”

What matters is not where we stand, but in which direction we are moving.