As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word (John 17:18.20).

We cannot fulfil God’s mandate alone, but only together. Not only because the task is too great, but because we can only be a reflection of God together. God lives in perfect unity.

This means that we support, encourage and strengthen each other – even those who have received a completely different task from God than we have. Continue reading We fulfil God’s mandate together →

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Isaiah 61:1-2).

Jesus reads these words in the synagogue in Capernaum and connects their fulfilment with his person. “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

In Jesus, God gets to the root of the problem. His death and resurrection change our thinking, our values and our attitudes. The goal is salvation and healing, freedom and well-being for the wretched, the entangled and all those with a broken heart. Continue reading God invites us to comprehensive freedom →

Verse of the day: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

We love options. We are a culture where everyone believes only in themselves.

At the same time, there is a longing in us for overflowing love, for being held, for liberation and rest, for security.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Thank you, Jesus: I can entrust myself to you. Continue reading God invites us through Jesus Christ →

We find inspiration and encouragement in the Bible. It also speaks of limits and promises.

It always takes courage and strength to lovingly put into practice what we have heard.

Lord, give me ears to hear you and your word, a heart that can be opened and shaped by you, and the wisdom to see how I can encourage others with your word and act with my hands. Amen.

Verse of the day: I treasure your word in my heart, that I may not sin against you. (…) I have received your precepts as an inheritance forever; they are the joy of my heart (Psalm 119:11+111).  Continue reading God invites us through His Word →

Jesus defines himself as the commissioner before his disciples with these powerful words: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me“. And “therefore” they, these eleven partly doubtful men, are to go to all the nations and “make disciples” and baptise them (Matthew 28:18-19).

The contrast between the Great Commission and the limited possibilities of those commissioned could not be greater.

The Great Commission is not primarily an activity of Christians, but lies in the nature of God, in the sending of His Son Jesus and in the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

John 20:21: “ As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you”.

We believe that the Gospel is God’s good news for the whole world. A sentence from the preamble of the Lausanne Covenant of 1974.

It is fascinating that God wants to make his offer of forgiveness through us. Continue reading God invites as the Triune God →

In the eyes of Jesus, the Christian community in Sardis is active, but living faith is missing. “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead”. The church is told to wake up (Revelation 3:1-6).

Jesus warns against an organized church instead than an organic connection with Jesus himself.

Church can take place, but not live inwardly. Jesus’ approach is exciting, not to let the smouldering wick go out (Matthew 12:20 / Isaiah 42:3), but to kindle it again: “Strengthen what remains and is about to die”.

Revelation 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

In the book of life are written the names of those who have a share in eternal life. The term “book of life” comes from Psalm 69:29 (“Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous”).