Paul writes in the 2nd letter to Timothy in chapter 3:15-17: „From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.“

With the term “ the sacred writings ” Paul means the Jewish Bible – i.e. the Tanakh, consisting of the five books of Moses (Torah), the prophets (Nevi’im) and the Scriptures (Ketuvim). The Tanakh was the Bible of the first followers of Jesus. Continue reading The understanding of the Scriptures of the early Christians →

(Ephesians 5:1-20)

We are set free to a new life as God’s beloved children (Ephesians 5:1). Jesus accepted the consequences of our transgression by offering himself as a sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 5:2).

This does not mean, however, that we should now live haphazardly, but that we should live as children of the light (Ephesians 5:8). This life is marked by love (Ephesians 5:4), gratitude (Ephesians 5:4), goodness, justice, truth (Ephesians 5:9) and wisdom (Ephesians 5:15).

Instead of spreading meaningless gossip (Ephesians 5:6), we always give thanks to Heavenly Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:19).

We have been transported from the kingdom of death into the kingdom of God where Jesus lights the way for us. Paul does not say: You were in darkness, but: You were darkness. Now you are light (Ephesians 5:8).

But the darkness has not been eradicated, not even among the new people in Christ, otherwise the author would not have to mention it.

The environment of the church in Ephesus at that time was characterized by immorality, greed and ungodly gossip. That is why Paul encourages an opposite way of life.

We should keep the clarity and radiance, even if everyone around us lives something else.

Edit William H. Sanford and Chuck Missler spread the idea that behind the Hebrew Aleph-Tav symbol there is a reference to Jesus. The combination Aleph-Tav includes Y’shua haMashiach (Jesus the Messiah). They come to this conclusion because Jesus says in Revelation 1: 8 that he is the alpha and the omega (the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet). In Revelation 21: 6 this is also combined with the statement that he is the beginning and the end. In the Hebrew alphabet, the aleph and the tav are the first and last letters.

Behind this interpretation stands a kabbalistic interpretation of the Bible. Kabbalah is searching for secret messages behind the written text. It is a search for something that the text does not say. But the focus should be on the content of the text.

Continue reading The mysterious Aleph Tav →

In Luke 18: 9-14, Jesus tells a parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector because some of his listeners trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.

The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like the tax collector. He is religious. Even thank God. But he doesn’t need God. His prayer revolves around himself, and he can do without God. He evaluates and condemns other people.

The tax collector, on the other hand, Continue reading The Paradox of the Pious →

David was called, to be a shepherd to his people. In 2 Samuel 5: 1-2 it is written:

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “The Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’”

Prayer: Heavenly Father you do not see the leaders of a people as rulers, but as shepherds, because you are a shepherd yourself. The way you deal with us is completely different from what we often experience in this world. A shepherd cares for those entrusted to him. This is how we should deal with the people who are entrusted to us, motivated by the experience we have with you. To care and  to help each other. Give us this eye for your personality, so that we can encourage each other, especially in this challenging times.

You lead us through the Holy Spirit so we can see how we can help each other. To whom we should talk on the phone or give a little gift.

At this point we would also like to ask you for our government. Give them wisdom to make the right decisions. Bless them in their assignments and give them unity on the actions that must be taken, and which can be left out.

Heavenly Father, we ask you for wisdom among our people so that we do not endanger one another, but also find ways to encourage one another.

We ask you for people who are sick that you be with them and give wisdom and strength to the doctors and carers.

We also pray for the family members who have lost someone. Help us to be there for one another, just as a shepherd who is there for those entrusted to him. Let us be people like caring shepherds.

The picture that God is a shepherd appears for the first time by Jacob. Genesis 48:15: He (Jacob) blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jacob views you as a shepherd. He said: “God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.” If we remember what Jacob had experienced, then it is astonishing. His purpose was denied, he had to flee, he was given the wrong bride, then he had to flee again, he fought with you, his great love died prematurely, his son Josef was sold as a slave by his brothers and was told that an animal had killed him. And then the sentence: “God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.”

Lord help us get such a view too. That we recognize that you are our shepherd in the highlight and downs of our lives. You watch over us and take cares of us. Amen

The situation in Tunisia, Sudan and Syrian Kurdistan has changed for the better.

The self-governing Kurdish, partly Christian-Aramaic north-east Syria has become a positive example. It emulates the example of the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan. Here as there, the democratic order is supported by the Christians. About both autonomous rights, however, the probable danger of Turkish incursions.

In Egypt Copts, Anglicans and Free Churches have a better time today.

The Assad regime with all the problems is still on power, but the Syrian Christians are saved from their own indigenous extermination or displacement.

In Iraq, the refuge of Christians from other parts of the country to autonomous Kurdistan has proven successful. Even in Baghdad, Basra and other countries, Christian Assyrians and Chaldeans, Baptists or Pentecostal Christians are no longer fair game for Islamists and criminals.