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The Good Seed Daily Devotional for 2026

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Wednesday, September 30, 2026 Plants deceive dung beetles Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man? Job 13:9 Plants deceive dung beetles People deceive people – and even try to deceive God. This happens quite deliberately. Animals follow their instincts, but even among them deceptive manoeuvres can be observed. They mimic their surroundings so skilfully that they become nearly invisible. Some insects are created by God to resemble another species closely. This allows them to deceive other animals. Even plants master the art of “deception”. Often, the seeds of shrubs are spread by small rodents that...More Tuesday, September 29, 2026 “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” Jesus said to him: Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43 “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” Jesus is hanging on the cross. He is suffering terrible pain. It’s as if all His limbs are being torn apart (cf. Psalm 22:14). Yet, He still cares for others. He asks for forgiveness for His murderers, He comforts His mother, and now He cares for one of the two criminals crucified with Him. At first, both of them mock and revile Him. But suddenly, one of them comes to his senses and says to his companion, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are...More Monday, September 28, 2026 “Today I must stay at your house” Today I must stay at your house. Today salvation has come to this house. Luke 19:5, 9 “Today I must stay at your house” Who is sitting up there in the tree? It’s Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector. He belongs to the group of professionals who are notorious in Israel for being dishonest and greedy. But Zacchaeus has thought about it and has repented of his past life. Therefore, he wants to see Jesus. Unfortunately, he is quite short; that’s why he climbed this tree. From there, he has a good view – but Jesus also sees him and knows why he is sitting there. He knows the questions...More Sunday, September 27, 2026 The revelation of the Father He who has seen Me has seen the Father. John 14:9 The revelation of the Father The Son of God became man to reveal the Father on earth through His person. When He spoke and acted, people could always recognise the truth about the Father in Him. Anyone with open eyes and ears saw in Him what the Father is in His essence. In John 17:6, the Lord Jesus prayed to the Father: “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.” It is clear from this that He had made the disciples, who believed in Him, acquainted with the Father. People in general saw in Jesus...More Saturday, September 26, 2026 Near the Lord Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe. 1 Samuel 22:23 Near the Lord When Doeg, on behalf of King Saul, cold-bloodedly killed the priestly family, Abiathar escaped the massacre. He fled to David, who comforted him and encouraged him to stay with him. From this, we can learn something, for David points to the Lord Jesus and Abiathar represents a believer in Him. The Lord invites everyone who has come to Him and believed in Him, “Stay with Me.” He wants us to stay close to Him. This is only possible if we obey Him and align...More Friday, September 25, 2026 Where to? The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below. Proverbs 15:24 Where to? “Heaven or Hell” is a children’s game that is drawn on the ground with chalk. Whoever jumps from the first square “Earth” to the last square “Heaven” without touching the second last square “Hell” has reached the goal. The game is made more challenging by first throwing a stone into the first square, then jumping over it. Once this stage is completed, the second square comes into play, until all squares are skipped, and “Heaven” is reached. The most important thing is to...More Thursday, September 24, 2026 When we read the Bible, we find... Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 When we read the Bible, we find in many places that God likes to give generously. The greatest thing He has given us is His beloved Son. Paul calls this gift unspeakable or indescribable (2 Corinthians 9:15). But even in our everyday life of faith, God is a giving God. When we don’t know what to do in a situation, we can ask Him for wisdom, and He will give it to us generously (James 1:5). Of the things we need daily for our physical...More Wednesday, September 23, 2026 “Today this Scripture is fulfilled” The Spirit of the L??? God is upon Me, because the L??? has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the L???. Isaiah 61:1–2 “Today this Scripture is fulfilled” After Jesus reads this verse from the prophet Isaiah, He begins His speech with the words, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). He is in the synagogue of Nazareth. He grew up in this city; everyone knows Him here. Will they listen...More Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Waste disposal But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Waste disposal It’s Saturday morning. A line of cars is at the recycling centre. “It’s really crowded here this morning,” Peter complains to his son in the passenger seat. “We’ve been standing in line for a quarter of an hour already!” In the next car, Sara says to her mother, “Look over there! The old man is only bringing a bucket of garbage!” – “Maybe he’s collected hazardous waste and wants to...More Monday, September 21, 2026 A purposeful life? Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labour in which he toils under the sun? Ecclesiastes 1:2–3 A purposeful life? Some artists have tried in original ways to depict the brevity and apparent meaninglessness of human life. Philippe de Champaigne, a painter of the 17th century, is attributed with painting a work entitled “Vanitas” (meaning empty appearance, vanity or futility). Its symbolism is alarming: on the left, a rose representing love; on the right, an hourglass indicating the passing time – and in between, a...More Sunday, September 20, 2026 The prayers of the Lord Jesus on the cross Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do. Luke 23:34 The prayers of the Lord Jesus on the cross The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus prayed three times on the cross. His first prayer reveals grace for His enemies: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do.” Until now, the Saviour has remained silent about the evil done to Him by the people. He has not defended Himself. He remained silent as they nailed Him to the cross, but now He opens His mouth. Yet He does not call for vengeance but instead asks for forgiveness for those who have...More Saturday, September 19, 2026 The condition of the believer I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Ephesians 4:1 The condition of the believer The “condition” of a believing Christian refers to the current state of his spiritual life. His spiritual condition is made visible through his behaviour. In today’s verse, we read that a Christian should live according to his calling. God has placed him in a perfect position and now expects behaviour that aligns with it. He should behave at all times as befitting a child of God. It is God’s will that the condition of the believer...More Friday, September 18, 2026 The position of the believer So also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 The position of the believer In respect to a believing Christian, the Bible refers to “position” as the standing that a person holds before God after his conversion. Before, he was a lost sinner deserving divine judgment. Through repentance towards God and through being born again, he has now become a child of God. He has come to know God as his loving Father and he belongs to the family of God. His future home is the Father’s house, where divine love resides. Therefore, the position of a believer...More Thursday, September 17, 2026 The stolen Bible Is not My word like a fire, says the L???, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? … having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, … Jeremiah 23:29; 1 Peter 1:23 The stolen Bible I led a superficial life with a friend. I indulged in every pleasure and enjoyed not having to work. Although I wasn’t rich, my wealthy friend paid for everything so I got by just fine. I had received a Bible which I left lying around and mutilated by tearing out each page to make cigarettes. But one day, it...More Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Compassion – for a lonely woman And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, Do not weep. Luke 7:12–13 Compassion – for a lonely woman What misery! First, the death of a husband – and now that of an only son. In ancient times, this meant a life of poverty and loneliness for a woman, without any hope or prospects. Many people accompany the funeral procession. They console, empathise and suffer with her. But their...More Tuesday, September 15, 2026 The mirror of God’s Word For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. James 1:23–24 The mirror of God’s Word I’m running late ... I quickly put on my jacket ... Where’s my car key? ... A brief check in the mirror ... I’m out of the house. The Epistle of James compares hearing God’s Word without acting on it to a fleeting glance in a mirror. It’s clear: I have to look in the mirror if I want to know what I look like. Similarly, I have to read the...More Monday, September 14, 2026 Not making the same mistake again! Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, Thus says the L??? of hosts: Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds. But they did not hear nor heed Me, says the L???. Zechariah 1:4 Not making the same mistake again! In the year 1898, the novel Titan was published. The eponymous ocean liner is in this story the largest ship of its time, measuring 244 metres in length, and is considered unsinkable. With 3,000 passengers, it leaves New York for Europe. During its voyage across the Atlantic, it collides with an iceberg and sinks. Only 13 people...More Sunday, September 13, 2026 The man of sorrows For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself. Hebrews 12:3 The man of sorrows How much the Lord Jesus suffered in His life on earth at the hands of men! The Creator came from heaven and, as a man, was the Firstborn or highest rank of all creation. Yet, there was no place for Him in the inn. Mary had to lay her newborn child in a manger. Jesus Christ was the King of Israel. But shortly after His birth, He was rejected and persecuted. Herod sought to kill Him, so His parents had to flee with Him to Egypt. He came from heavenly glory and...More Saturday, September 12, 2026 You’re our anchor firm in the storms of life... And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. Mark 4:37 You’re our anchor firm in the storms of life; In the raging waves, in the deepest strife You’re the Son of God who gives hope and rest, When You say “fear not” our poor hearts are blessed. As we weakly row through the depths and heights, We can trust You Lord, whether day or night. You’re the Lord whose hand overruling all, Calms the storms of life, whether great or small. Then when we’re distressed, You see all our fears, And You keep...More Friday, September 11, 2026 Fulfilled, eternal live And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 Fulfilled, eternal live On the last page of the Bible, God makes an offer to all people. He offers them the “water of life”. What does that mean? It’s about genuine fulfilment in this present life and a happy prospect for eternity. God invites us to come to Him and accept this gift. In an ordered relationship with Him, our lives gain the right meaning. Then He also gives us a place in heaven where we will be eternally happy with Him. Don’t we all suffer from an inner thirst for...More Thursday, September 10, 2026 Oliver accidentally drops his keychain... Now set your heart and your soul to seek the L??? your God. 1 Chronicles 22:19 Oliver accidentally drops his keychain. He bends down to pick it up but his hand doesn’t respond. Worried, he visits a doctor who immediately admits him to a hospital. While his body is meticulously examined for days, his soul is shaken. Many questions flood his mind: How serious is it? Is it curable? Will I be able to return to work? Are you perhaps like Oliver, seriously ill and greatly concerned about the future? Do you suddenly have a lot of time for reflection? Then accept this unexpected situation from God! He...More Wednesday, September 9, 2026 God speaks through His Word The law of the L??? is perfect, converting the soul; ... the statutes of the L??? are right, rejoicing the heart. Psalm 19:7–8 God speaks through His Word Psalm 19 shows us that and how God speaks: He speaks through creation – here especially through the starry world (verses 1–6) – and He speaks through His Word; back then the law of Moses, today the entire Bible (verses 7–11). The great German philosopher and theologian Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) once wrote as a conclusion to one of his philosophical works: “Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration...More Tuesday, September 8, 2026 God speaks through creation The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 God speaks through creation God is not far from us. He has not withdrawn Himself (as some claim). No, it is possible for us to know Him, for He speaks to us – through His creation. David, the writer of this psalm, thinks of the starry world and says: “The heavens declare the glory of God”. Today we know much more about the universe than he did: we see billions of galaxies with billions of stars, many of them larger and more majestic than our sun; we calculate in light-years, but find it...More Monday, September 7, 2026 Disappointed by Christians? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31 Disappointed by Christians? Some time ago, I met a man who said to me, “I’ve been seriously ill for seven years now, but our pastor has never visited me even once!” His disappointment was palpable. Some time later, my wife received a sad letter. An old acquaintance wrote, “Too many so-called Christians have hurt me. They often behave worse than some atheists or believers of other faiths. I can no longer accept the excuse ‘Christians are only human’. I have given up reading the Bible ...” To all...More Sunday, September 6, 2026 He who prophesies But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Corinthians 14:3 He who prophesies Today’s Bible verse is about the proclamation of the Word of God in the assembly. First, the question arises: What is prophecy? The biblical answer to this is found in 1 Peter 4:11: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” This means that the speaker proclaims exactly the message from the Bible that God has instructed him to give for that moment. He is the mouthpiece of God to speak into the lives of the listeners without knowing their situation. This is only...More Saturday, September 5, 2026 Being watchful Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Being watchful As Christians, it is necessary for us to constantly watch over ourselves and condemn everything that comes from the old nature. At the same time, we should be mindful that biblical truth fills our hearts and shapes our lives. Instead of spiritually sleeping, we must be awake and await the coming of the Lord. This hope should shape our thoughts and influence our behaviour. How important it is that we keep a tender conscience and avoid anything that weakens our devotion...More Friday, September 4, 2026 Life’s ambition And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry. Luke 12:19 Life’s ambition In Luke 12, the Lord Jesus tells the story of a rich farmer who hoarded the produce of his fields only for himself. What he said to his soul reflects life’s ambition for many people: “Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” They strive for peaceful hours to leisurely enjoy life. Moreover, nothing surpasses a fine meal with a good glass of wine for them. Fun and pleasure should also not be neglected. However, in such a life there is...More Thursday, September 3, 2026 When we come to the throne of grace... Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 When we come to the throne of grace in prayer, we first receive mercy. It is often manifested in the Lord strengthening us inwardly. Then we also experience His grace, which helps us just at the right time. Two examples from the Bible illustrate this: o When the disciples were struggling with strong headwinds on the Sea of Galilee, the Lord came to them in the fourth watch of the night. Initially, He encouraged the frightened disciples with words of mercy: “Be of good...More Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Parents and children And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 Parents and children Abraham journeyed with his son Isaac to the land of Moriah. On the way he, as a father, showed some qualities that are instructive for us as parents: o God testified that Abraham loved his son (Genesis 22:2). – Of course, we love our children. But is our love for them the kind that doesn’t seek its own and is not easily provoked? If we truly love our children, we seek what is best for them and are patient with...More Tuesday, September 1, 2026 Abandoned by all? In the day of my trouble I sought the L???. Psalm 77:2 Abandoned by all? The incarcerated man stands before the prison chaplain. He holds a letter in his hand and says, “Reverend, I wanted to see you one last time today.” – “What’s wrong? Are you sick?” – “For eight years, I’ve only been able to see the sky through these bars. So far, I’ve endured it. There was someone who thought of me, wrote to me, and waited for me. – But here is the last letter. My wife has left me. Now my life has no meaning.” The chaplain knew the man. He was not one of those who talked...More Monday, August 31, 2026 Quarantine Then as He entered a village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Luke 17:12–13 Quarantine The virus has struck: now we as a family are in quarantine for two weeks. Inevitably, I think of the men described in Luke 17. They are also in quarantine, suffering from leprosy, a highly contagious disease that was widespread at that time. We don’t know how they came together. They are obviously fellow sufferers – outcasts, destitute and desperate. But then they hear about Jesus,...More Sunday, August 30, 2026 God wants to direct our gaze to... Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! Isaiah 42:1 God wants to direct our gaze to the Lord Jesus Christ, who lived and worked here as His servant. The statement in today’s verse perfectly applies to the Lord Jesus and was fulfilled in His life. When we read the Gospel of Mark, we recognise His excellence as God’s servant. The Lord tirelessly served God and people. With the word “immediately”, which Mark often uses, it is emphasised how persistently this servant of God served. As soon as He completed one task, He moved on to the next. He redeemed the time...More Saturday, August 29, 2026 Like the rain For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sewer and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10–11 Like the rain In today’s verse, the divine word is compared to rain, which in the Bible symbolises God’s blessing (Deuteronomy 28:12). Rain provides us with water for refreshment and cleansing, and it brings the...More Friday, August 28, 2026 The forgiveness of debts I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Isaiah 44:22 The forgiveness of debts One morning, an English landlord in the village belonging to his estate put up a notice. The villagers, astonished, read: “Anyone who comes to me before noon with a complete list of his debts will receive cancellation of debts.” The notice caused a sensation. Many doubted it. Others mocked it. As the morning progressed, the crowd in front of the notice grew larger. Yet no one dared to approach the landlord, fearing ridicule. Around 11 o’clock, someone...More Thursday, August 27, 2026 No one knows when he will die Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. Genesis 27:2 No one knows when he will die For over 30 years I went to the same dentist. But he grew older and began to plan his retirement. A successor started working in the practice, and for two years they planned to share the workload. I had another appointment with the older dentist for the annual check-up. Then suddenly, the practice assistant called me and informed me that the dentist had unexpectedly died of a heart failure two weeks before. This news troubled me and once again reminded me that no one can know the day of...More Wednesday, August 26, 2026 A plague of biblical proportions And the L??? said: I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt. Exodus 3:7 A plague of biblical proportions It is noteworthy how people often turn to the Bible when circumstances become dire. A politician refers to the Covid-19 pandemic as a “plague of biblical proportions”. Confronted with extreme criticism, he deflects it by saying, “I am neither the Pharaoh who oppressed, nor the Moses who liberated.” Let’s rewind to ancient Egypt. The people of Israel groan under the oppression of Pharaoh. The situation becomes unbearable. The Israelites cry out to God...More Tuesday, August 25, 2026 “They are truly wearing his cloak!” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realised that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 “They are truly wearing his cloak!” Jakov, a preacher of the gospel, once came to a village in Eastern Europe. There he met an elderly man named Cimmerman, who had suffered much injustice from religious people throughout his life. When Jakov wanted to tell him about his faith in Jesus, Cimmerman immediately interrupted him and recounted all the evil that these people had done in his town under the guise of their...More Monday, August 24, 2026 One thing you lack And he answered and said to Him, Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth. Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack. Mark 10:20–21 One thing you lack Once, an amiable young man came to Jesus Christ with the question, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (verse 17). When Jesus reminded him of God’s commandments, he replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” Yet that wasn’t enough. The Lord saw deeper and said, “One thing you lack.” What could it be? The Lord asked him to sell all his possessions and give to the...More Sunday, August 23, 2026 A worthy burial And they made His grave with the wicked – but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Isaiah 53:9 A worthy burial People could not do with Jesus Christ as they pleased. When they crucified Him, they placed Him between two criminals. God allowed this. But then they appointed His grave with the wicked. God intervened and prevented this. He ensured that the Lord Jesus, in His death, was with a rich man. The rich and respected councillor Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body from the cross and wrapped it in fine linen. Then...More Saturday, August 22, 2026 In the presence of God When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me – until I went into the sanctuary of God. Psalm 73:16–17 In the presence of God Asaph, the poet of Psalm 73, struggled with a question: Why did wicked people live successfully and seemingly happily, while he himself struggled with many problems on the path of faith? He pondered intensely over it but found no answer. This puzzle was only solved when Asaph went to God and considered the problem in His presence. There, he saw everything in the light of eternity. He realised that a person’s end determines everything. An...More Friday, August 21, 2026 God commands people to repent and turn... For whoever calls on the name of the L??? shall be saved. Romans 10:13 God commands people to repent and turn to Him. He calls them to acknowledge their guilt before Him and confess it to Him. He calls them to believe in the Lord Jesus, who died on the cross to atone for their sins. What God requires of people to be saved is not too difficult for them. Yet many find it difficult. There are several reasons for this: o Some are too proud to bow before God and His judgment. They consider themselves righteous people. They think they have a good standing compared to others. Because they have...More Thursday, August 20, 2026 The caterpillar And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17 The caterpillar A manager was proud of his achievements, having climbed a long way up the career ladder. One morning, he noticed a caterpillar in his garden attempting to climb a wooden pole. Would it reach the top? Fascinated by the insect’s efforts, he thought to himself, “Look at how hard I’ve worked to reach the top. Look at the toil I’ve endured! But now I’ve made it. Now I’m at the top.” Lost in thought, he continued to watch the caterpillar. By...More Wednesday, August 19, 2026 As the clay is in the potter’s hand Can I not do with you as this potter? says the L???. Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand. Jeremiah 18:6 As the clay is in the potter’s hand Let’s observe a potter at work: First, he takes a lump of clay and kneads it to make it pliable. Then, he places it on the potter’s wheel and shapes it. As he presses one hand into the interior, giving it the desired volume, he holds it with the other from the outside, smoothing, refining and shaping the clay. It takes much skill and experience to form a useful vessel out of a shapeless mass. God is the potter...More Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Reliable Your word is truth. John 17:17 Reliable The archaeologist William Ramsay (1852–1916) was known for carefully studying the events described in the New Testament, especially in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Pauline Epistles. When he first travelled to Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), many cities mentioned in Acts were not known, and even less was known about their history. The Acts of the Apostles was the only historical document, and Ramsay, who was sceptical, fully expected his research to expose Luke, the writer of Acts, as hopelessly inaccurate. Therefore, he set out to...More Monday, August 17, 2026 The earth – ingeniously protected God drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters, at the boundary of light and darkness. Job 26:10 The earth – ingeniously protected Water is essential for life as we know it. Water can be found everywhere on earth. Clouds carry it there, sometimes it rains or snows, other times fog carries it; even in deserts, dew falls. On earth, there are 1.4 billion cubic kilometres of water in an endless cycle. Only 0.0001 percent of it exists as water vapour in the atmosphere. To ensure that none of this precious resource is lost, there is a kind of built-in vapour barrier above us. When...More Sunday, August 16, 2026 Seeing only Christ When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Matthew 17:8 Seeing only Christ The Lord Jesus went up on a high mountain with Peter, James and John. There, He showed them His glory as a preview of the future kingdom. Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Christ (Matthew 17:1–8). The disciples were impressed when they recognised these devoted men of faith. Immediately, Peter had an idea: “If You wish, let us make here three tabernacles, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Hardly had he finished speaking when a voice came from the bright cloud that...More Saturday, August 15, 2026 Food in the wilderness Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. Exodus 16:4 Food in the wilderness The Israelites had left Egypt and had been commanded by the L??? to go into the wilderness. In this inhospitable place there was no food. What were they to eat there? In a spiritual sense, this also applies to us believers. We have been saved and now follow the Lord Jesus. For us to advance daily in faith, our new life needs to be nourished. We have to learn that we can find...More Friday, August 14, 2026 God is good! Oh, give thanks to the L???, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1 God is good! We find many passages in the Bible that speak of the goodness of God. They encourage us to walk the path of faith with Him every day. o Awareness of God’s goodness prompts us to seek help and protection from Him. “How precious is your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of man put their trust under the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 36:7). o When we have stumbled, God’s goodness leads us to repentance and confession: “For You, L???, are good, and ready to forgive,...More Thursday, August 13, 2026 With an illustration, the Lord Jesus shows... Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. Matthew 7:13 With an illustration, the Lord Jesus shows that every person faces a decision: 1. We can enter through the narrow gate. Then we come to the narrow path that leads to life. In John 10:9, the Saviour speaks of Himself: “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” Through personal faith in Him, we use this entrance to the way of life. Why is the gate narrow? Because it is necessary for us to acknowledge our guilt before God and believe in the Saviour who died for us on the...More Wednesday, August 12, 2026 Repentance – Conversion – Confession (3) Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son. ... And they began to be merry. Luke 15:21, 24 Repentance – Conversion – Confession (3) Two days ago, we discussed repentance; yesterday, we talked about conversion. Now comes confession. The young man comes to his father and is accepted by him. It is glorious to see how the father accepts the downcast son. God doesn’t make it difficult for the sinner who comes to Him! But nevertheless the son confesses, and that is necessary. How does he confess? Firstly, he asks for forgiveness...More Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Repentance – Conversion – Confession (2) And he arose and came to his father. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Luke 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Repentance – Conversion – Confession (2) Yesterday, we saw that repentance is part of faith in Jesus Christ. It‘s an inner change of mind, a rethinking about God and about myself. After his change of mind, the young man in the parable of the prodigal son resolves, “I will arise and go to my father”. And he doesn’t stop at this resolution but puts it...More Monday, August 10, 2026 Repentance – Conversion – Confession (1) But when he came to himself, he said, how many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17 Repentance – Conversion – Confession (1) How can a person be saved for eternity? The Bible’s answer is: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). This faith in Christ involves three points: repentance, conversion and confession. A story in the New Testament helps us understand these three terms. It is the story of the prodigal son: A young man asks his father to give him his share of the inheritance and then...More Sunday, August 9, 2026 The Lord Jesus felt deeply the knowledge... O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. Psalm 102:24 The Lord Jesus felt deeply the knowledge that He was going to die as a young man. He prophetically expresses this distress in the today’s verse: “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days”! How painful it was for Him to have to die at the zenith of life. Again in the Psalms, we read of the “midst of days”. In Psalm 55:23, we read: “Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days.” There were people back then who were taken from life early because they shed the blood of others. They did...More Saturday, August 8, 2026 Helping each other We are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25 Helping each other Every believer belongs to the church of God and is a member of the body of Christ. In this organism, there is a living connection to Christ in heaven and with each other. Due to our failures, this unity of all believers is scarcely visible. Nevertheless, it remains and should shape our behaviour towards one another. Because we are members of one another, we should care for each other. Many Bible verses make clear what this means: o “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10). o...More Friday, August 7, 2026 How can we become children of God? But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 How can we become children of God? The Bible gives a twofold answer to this question: It happens through personal faith in the Lord Jesus and through the new birth that God works in me. The first part of the answer is shown to me in today’s verse. When I receive the Son of God, I accept His judgment about me and my life. In other words, I repent and see myself as God sees me. I acknowledge my sins and know that I am lost. Added to this is personal faith in the...More Thursday, August 6, 2026 My questions wouldn’t let me go (2) Continue earnestly in prayer. Colossians 4:2 My questions wouldn’t let me go (2) A young Bengali had gone to a church to find answers to his questions. He continues his account: I thought to myself: This speaker in the church is telling my story. That’s why I immediately ran to him after the service and asked him: “How do you know my life story?” My conversation partner was somewhat taken aback, but then he said: “Now I understand why God didn’t allow me to deliver the message I had prepared. It was as if an inner voice was saying to me, ‘Do not...More Wednesday, August 5, 2026 My questions wouldn’t let me go (1) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 My questions wouldn’t let me go (1) There I stood in front of the small brick church. My heart was pounding. Should I enter this church? Would it help me find answers to my pressing questions? Like most Bengalis, I was raised in Islam. I prayed five times a day, fasted during Ramadan and went to the mosque, but my heart remained empty. Why this feeling of dissatisfaction? Why did my religion not bring me joy? Why, despite all my discipline in prayer and fasting, didn’t I know if I was doing...More Tuesday, August 4, 2026 Comfort for the grieving When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, Do not weep. Luke 7:13 Comfort for the grieving The Lord Jesus approaches the city of Nain. A funeral procession comes toward Him. The only son of a widow is being carried to his grave. The mother weeps over this bitter loss. Many accompany her to express their condolences to the grieving woman. When the Lord sees her, He is moved with compassion. He understands her sorrow over her only son. He perceives the devastating consequences that death brings upon people. His heart is deeply moved. In the same way, the Lord Jesus...More Monday, August 3, 2026 Royal priests But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9 Royal priests Through faith in the Lord Jesus, we are not only holy priests who worship God. We also form a royal priesthood. This describes our position on earth and our service towards others. The Apostle Peter uses four expressions to describe our position: 1. As a “chosen generation”, we have been appointed by God to be His witnesses in the age of grace and to make people...More Sunday, August 2, 2026 Holy priests You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 Holy priests Every person who turns to God with a confession of their sins and believes in the Saviour Jesus Christ becomes a holy priest. Together with all other believing Christians, he now belongs to the priestly family. This addresses both the position and the function of Christians before God: o As holy priests, we are suited to God, who is holy and righteous. Through the redemptive work of the Lord...More Saturday, August 1, 2026 Always ready Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear … 1 Peter 3:15 Always ready When the faithful astrophysicist whom we read about yesterday lay in the hospital with severe heart problems, he had an opportunity to confess the Lord Jesus. Five pastors visited him. Four of them doubted the credibility of the Word of God. After investigation, he discovered that their disbelief was based on science. So, he asked, “Have you ever talked to a believing scientist about this?” – “No,” was the answer, “there is no...More Friday, July 31, 2026 The master’s invitation Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 The master’s invitation Yehudi Menuhin (1916–1999) was a legend from the beginning. And his fame as a violinist grew from year to year because he caressed the musical soul of his audience. When he performed in Warsaw for the first time in 1956, the rebuilt National Philharmonic where he gave his concert was completely full. People even overflowed along the walls and into the corridors of the building. Menuhin stepped onto the stage, which could accommodate a large symphony orchestra and an...More Thursday, July 30, 2026 “A little knowledge separates us from... But You, O L???, know me; You have seen me, and You have tested my heart toward You. Jeremiah 12:3 “A little knowledge separates us from God. Much knowledge brings us closer to Him.” This quote is from Louis Pasteur. He was a leading physicist and biochemist who contributed much to the prevention of infectious diseases. A well-known astrophysicist experienced the truth of this quote, as well as today’s Bible verse. Even as a child, he devoured every book on astronomy that he could get his hands on. Later, he studied the creation accounts of various religions and found that they could not...More Wednesday, July 29, 2026 How do we listen? These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:11 How do we listen? The people in Berea set us a good example of how to listen to the preaching of the Word of God. They received the word with all readiness and then searched the Old Testament to find confirmation of the preached word. Their attitude is worthy of imitation: o Receiving the word with all readiness means being attentive. We pay attention to what God wants to tell us and follow the...More Tuesday, July 28, 2026 All your heartaches Jesus sees... You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities. Psalm 31:8 All your heartaches Jesus sees, All your bitter tears He knows. Only He can understand All your longings and your woes. Pour your tears before His feet, All your troubles, all your cares, Bring to Him your load of pain— On His heart your name He bears. Be assured that when His hand Seems to take your life away, From the suff’ring He has planned Deeper blessings for each day. Noble seeds are being sown— Fruit produced by love’s own...More Monday, July 27, 2026 Christian freedom Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 Christian freedom Christ has led all who believe in Him into a wonderful freedom. As those who have been redeemed, we are free from the yoke of the law to obey the Lord out of love. Unfortunately, not all Christians live in this freedom. Some think they must adhere to this or that, or else they will be lost again. But this contradicts the teaching of the Word of God. Especially in the letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul counters this...More Sunday, July 26, 2026 The Lord Jesus carries His cross And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called The Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. John 19:17 The Lord Jesus carries His cross The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus is described to us in a special way in the Gospel of John. Although it seemed that people were acting as they pleased, the Son of God decisively followed the path in which the Father had directed Him. He carried His cross to the place of execution. He was not forced to do so. No, He voluntarily left Jerusalem to be crucified at Golgotha. At no moment do we see His energy and determination diminish....More Saturday, July 25, 2026 Transplanted? And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Transplanted? Today, repotting is taking place on the balcony. The young seedlings have developed well. They need to be taken out of the seedling cup, which has become too small, and transplanted into a larger flower box. There, their roots will have more space, allowing the plants to continue growing better. But this intervention is quite “traumatic”. First, I let the soil dry out a bit so that it sticks to the container less. Then I pull on the plant to...More Friday, July 24, 2026 During Elijah’s time, there were many... Elijah came to all the people, and said, How long will you falter between two opinions? 1 Kings 18:21 During Elijah’s time, there were many people in the nation of Israel who wavered between believing in the living God and worshipping foreign gods. To them, the prophet posed the serious question: “How long will you falter between two opinions?” This question remains relevant to this day. Many want to have a bit of Christianity while also enjoying the pleasures of a connection with the world. They occasionally attend a Christian service but want to live as they please. They cannot decide to...More Thursday, July 23, 2026 Trust brings peace Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 Trust brings peace David was on the run from King Saul for many years. The Bible records this in the Old Testament, in the first book of Samuel. Often, he didn’t know where to spend the night or what he was going to eat the next day. Added to this was the sad experience that he couldn’t trust everyone. In this situation, David learned to trust in God. Because he could neither solve his problems on his own nor solve them with the help of others, he took refuge in God: “My soul,...More Wednesday, July 22, 2026 The human heart For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the L???’s counsel – that will stand. Isaiah 57:15; Proverbs 19:21 The human heart When the Bible speaks of the heart, it doesn’t usually refer to our hollow muscle that pumps blood through the body. Rather, it refers to the centre of our will. In this centre, decisions are made about...More Tuesday, July 21, 2026 35 years haunted The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 35 years haunted Wilhelm Busch (1897–1966) recounts how a miner once came to visit him, a man he didn’t know. He sat sullenly before him. Then he pulled a 100-mark note from his wallet, slammed it on the table, and said, “This belongs to your youth work.” Wilhelm Busch couldn’t make sense of the donation and looked at the giver inquiringly. Finally, the man told him that as a 15 year old, he was allowed to sell small magazines for the community. The proceeds were intended for youth work. But he always...More Monday, July 20, 2026 “I’m too bad” Jesus said: All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 “I’m too bad” As a nurse, I liked to talk about Jesus and His love at work. One day, a patient said to me, “Jesus won’t accept me: I’m too bad. But I hope I don’t die soon.” “I hope so too for you,” I replied, “but the sooner a person gets their life right with God, the sooner they will be filled with the peace that Jesus gives. Don’t you know the story of the criminal who was crucified next to the Lord Jesus Christ?” At that...More Sunday, July 19, 2026 Christ prays to His Father Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. Mark 14:36 Christ prays to His Father In the New Testament, two prayers of the Lord Jesus on the night before His crucifixion were recorded. Both are profound and evoke our worship. One prayer, spoken in the Garden of Gethsemane, reveals His sufferings in anticipation of what awaited Him on the cross at Golgotha. We find it in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The other prayer, shared with us in John 17, includes the glories of the Lord Jesus that followed His work on...More Saturday, July 18, 2026 What will it be like in heaven? And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be nor more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 What will it be like in heaven? The Bible verse for today describes the future happiness of believers in heaven by showing us what will no longer exist. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. He will remove every burdensome memory of the experiences of suffering and console us completely. When we then think back on our life on earth, His grace will overshadow everything. In heaven,...More Friday, July 17, 2026 Living righteously and obeying And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6 Living righteously and obeying Today’s verse concerns the couple Zacharias and Elizabeth. What the Bible says about them speaks to all Christians who want to live for the joy of God. They were righteous before God. This does not refer to the status of those who are justified by faith. Rather, it is about practical righteous conduct. In their actions, they sought to align with God’s will as revealed in His Word. They repeatedly asked themselves: Is what I am...More

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Dalli Dalli Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. John 16:22 Dalli Dalli That was the name of Hans Rosenthal’s quiz show in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s. With it, he wanted to bring joy to people: those sitting in front of the TV screen and cheering for the contestants – but especially needy families whom he could support through the donations collected from his show. Rosenthal (1925–1987) wanted to give joy – because as a child he only knew fear, the fear of being discovered. This was because he was...More Monday, July 13, 2026 Is that the meaning? For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Ecclesiastes 6:12 Is that the meaning? To go to work or get up without having any work – is that the meaning of life? To spend evenings alone, with family or friends – is that the meaning of life? Media, opinions, shallow entertainment – is that the meaning of life? Hoping for a jackpot in the lottery – is that the meaning of life? Partying hard on weekends – is that the meaning of life? Surveys show that more and more people see the purpose of their lives in happiness and...More Sunday, July 12, 2026 The Lord Jesus’ own needs and sufferings... For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 The Lord Jesus’ own needs and sufferings never prevented Him from thinking of others and helping them. When the Saviour sat weary by the well during His journey, a woman came to draw water. He engaged her in conversation to present to her the grace of God and to address her conscience. Although physically tired, the salvation of this woman was dear to His heart. So He made every effort to lead her to repentance and faith. Once, when the Lord and His disciples found no time to eat,...More Saturday, July 11, 2026 Jesus loves you! In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 Jesus loves you! A little girl stood on the platform with her father while a criminal in handcuffs was being taken away. He was resisting and had such a terrifying expression on his face that no one dared to approach him. The child observed the scene for a moment, then quietly approached the criminal and spoke to him: “I feel terribly sorry for you!” In response, the little girl was showered with a torrent of curses, so she ran away frightened. But shortly afterward,...More Friday, July 10, 2026 Three short appeals … rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer … Romans 12:12 Three short appeals o “Rejoicing in hope.” As believing Christians, we are heading towards a glorious future. The Lord Jesus will come again and take us to Himself in heaven. We will be with Him eternally and see Him as He is. This Christian hope is not vague or indefinite. From the Bible, we know for certain that the best is yet to come! So, we have the assurance that our expectations will be fulfilled. The thought of this evokes genuine and lasting joy in our hearts. o “Patient in...More Thursday, July 9, 2026 Peace – My peace Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 Peace – My peace Many people desire emotional stability. They try to positively change their thinking, feeling and experience through meditation exercises. But this is dangerous because it opens them up to unhealthy influences. Instead of the hoped-for peace, inner restlessness intensifies. Fears increase. When the Lord Jesus Christ lived on earth, He freed numerous people from demon possession. Yet His greatest victory was won...More Wednesday, July 8, 2026 Aristides on Christians Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Aristides on Christians Aristides of Athens, a Greek philosopher of the 2nd century, converted to Christianity. When Emperor Hadrian visited Athens, Aristides presented to him his “Apology”, a defence of the Christian faith. Here are some statements from it: “But the Christians, O King, … have found the truth … For they know and trust in God, the Creator of heaven and earth, … from whom they received the commandments which they engraved upon their minds and...More Tuesday, July 7, 2026 The last chance … who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 1 Peter 3:20 The last chance Noah had been building the ark for 120 years. Then the great day came: God instructed him to go into the ark with his family. After seven days, devastating amounts of water would come upon the earth, wiping out all life from the earth. Only when the seventh day arrived did Noah enter the ark (Genesis 7:1–13). What happened during those seven days? One can imagine...More Monday, July 6, 2026 Handel and the “Messiah” I will sing to the L??? as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalm 104:33 Handel and the “Messiah” Georg Friedrich Handel (1685–1759) is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period. He was tall, consumed large amounts of food and drink, could compose continuously for 20 hours, and had an almost inexhaustible creative energy. He was also known for his temper tantrums. Once, he threatened to throw a singer out of the window for not following his instructions. Accordingly, his music is powerful. It is expansive, simple and of...More Sunday, July 5, 2026 Memory and proclamation For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 Memory and proclamation When the Lord Jesus instituted His meal, He urged His followers: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). He wants us never to forget His sacrificial death. We should never forget how He surrendered His life for us on the cross out of love. When we eat the bread and drink from the cup, we remember our Saviour who gave His life for us. The bread symbolises His body in which He first bore our sins and then laid down His life by voluntarily dying as...More Saturday, July 4, 2026 Mercy and love But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. Ephesians 2:4–5 Mercy and love Before our conversion, we were in a spiritually dead state. We were under Satan’s dominion and enslaved by sin. We couldn’t free ourselves from these conditions. No human being was able to help us either. Only God could save us. And He did. Why? Because we were so lovable? No! Because we desperately sought His help? No! Then why? Because His heart is full of mercy! He saw our hopeless condition and...More Friday, July 3, 2026 The letter to Philemon But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay. Philemon 18–19 The letter to Philemon None of the letters in the New Testament is as personal, as private, as this one. In other letters, Paul unfolds Christian doctrine, but here he gives us an example of practical, lived-out Christian love. Paul likely wrote this letter around 61–62 ??, at the same time as the one to the Colossians, because in both letters he mentions his imprisonment and sends greetings from the same friends. Philemon, a believing homeowner, has...More Thursday, July 2, 2026 Enter life as a “cripple” And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell. Mark 9:45–46 Enter life as a “cripple” Isn’t this a strange instruction? If your hand, foot or eye causes you to sin, should you cut them off or throw them away? But let’s take a closer look at what Jesus Christ means, focusing especially on the terms “causes to sin” and “cut off” or “throw away”. In the preceding Bible passage, the Lord warns against causing the little ones or the lowly to stumble, meaning to set a trap for...More Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Zacchaeus And he sought to see who Jesus was. Luke 19:3 Zacchaeus Zacchaeus had achieved something in his life: he had become a wealthy chief tax collector. But neither money nor his professional success could fulfil all his desires. When he heard that Jesus, the Son of God, was coming to Jericho, he wanted to get to know Him. – Are you also under the impression that possessions and success ultimately don’t make you happy? People obstructed Zacchaeus’ view of Jesus because they were taller than him. But this determined man overcame this obstacle. He wasn’t afraid of people’s opinions...More Tuesday, June 30, 2026 Above my desk hangs a reproduction of... Please let me go and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favour. Ruth 2:2 Above my desk hangs a reproduction of the oil painting “The Gleaners” by Jean-François Millet. It is an image from 1857, depicting three women stooping to gather the scattered ears of grain left in the field. It is a laborious task that causes backaches! This work, unfamiliar to us today, serves as an illustration for a spiritual activity. The Bible is a wonderful harvest field where we find nourishment for our hearts. The process of gleaning, metaphorically speaking, begins with reading and hearing...More Monday, June 29, 2026 In the world In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 In the world As believers, we don’t belong to the world that seeks success and joy without God. However, we still live in the world and are exposed to both its allure and opposition. That’s when the Lord calls to us: “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Through His death on the cross, He conquered the world. Now He stands by us, enabling us to remain steadfast in the face of the world. When the world tempts us, looking at the cross of the Lord Jesus helps. At the time of...More Sunday, June 28, 2026 The marriage of the Lamb Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7 The marriage of the Lamb All true Christians of this period of grace belong to the church of God. She is the heavenly bride of the Lord Jesus. He eagerly waits for the moment when He will take her home to heaven. When He returns, He will resurrect the passed-away believers and transform the living believers, and rapture them together into heaven. There the wedding will take place. Concerning the bride we read: “And to her it was granted to be...More Saturday, June 27, 2026 Thoughts on prayer Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place praying, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. Luke 11:1 Thoughts on prayer In prayer, your restless heart finds rest. Shake the tree of God’s promises in prayer, so that the fruits of life may rain down upon you! Pray from the heart without words – rather than with words without heart. You can speak prayers without truly “praying”. Anyone who seeks to save prayer time to gain work time will have this experience: I...More Friday, June 26, 2026 Despised by all – for me! He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:3 Despised by all – for me! There is a fire alarm in a small town. When the fire brigade arrives, the whole house is already in flames. A small boy is seen at one of the windows. The mother, full of panic, is about to rush into the house to save him when she is held back. One of the firefighters makes his way through the flames to the boy. On the way back, he shields him with his own jacket. He escapes the sea of flames...More Thursday, June 25, 2026 Sought and found And he sought to see who Jesus was. Luke 19:3 Sought and found There was a crowd in Jericho as Jesus passed through the city. Everyone wanted to see Him and be near Him. But in a tree sat a man plagued by his sins. His heart cried out to the Saviour, yet his mouth remained silent. Then something wonderful happened: Jesus, despite the crowd, stopped beneath the tree and looked up at Zacchaeus. He saw the desire for peace with God and for a fresh start in life in Zacchaeus’ heart. Therefore, the Lord declared, “Zacchaeus, make hast and come down, for today I must stay at your house”...More Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Security in turbulent times The name of the L??? is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 Security in turbulent times Our global and digital world is evolving rapidly. This can make us fearful and uncertain. However, in our God we find a firm and secure anchor. 1. We know: God doesn’t change! He remains forever the same. His love for us is consistently strong and deep. His grace is available to us in full measure every day. He declares of Himself, “For I am the L???, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). Moreover, He promises, “I, the L???, am the first, and with the last, I am...More Tuesday, June 23, 2026 For our son’s birthday, he received his... And He said to them, Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Luke 12:15 For our son’s birthday, he received his desired T-shirt from a sports equipment manufacturer. He immediately put it on and proudly wore it all day. The next morning, when he appeared for breakfast in the gifted top, I asked him, “Tell me, does this T-shirt make you happy?” – “Not as much as yesterday,” was his brief answer. It’s the same with all material gifts or acquisitions: they don’t give us the deep, lasting joy we...More Monday, June 22, 2026 Goodbye You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 Goodbye A Christian reports: “I was in the hospital for several days for an examination. A movable wall separated my bed from the bed of a young boy who was terminally ill. The doctor had discontinued treatment and was only giving him strong pain medication. One morning, I overheard him on the phone saying, ‘I want to go home. It’s not getting any better. I want to die at home.’ These words shook me deeply. The boy was going to die, and he knew it. Was he ready to meet God? I...More Sunday, June 21, 2026 The Son – the Word In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2 The Son – the Word There is only one God. The Bible testifies to this repeatedly. In Isaiah 45:5, the living and true God says, “I am the L???, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me.” In 1 Timothy 2:5, we read, “For there is one God”. Yet this one God has revealed Himself in the incarnation of the Son of God in three persons: as Father, as Son, and as Holy Spirit. For this reason, the Son of God is called the “Word” at the beginning of...More Saturday, June 20, 2026 How can God allow this? Then He said: A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. So he divided to them his livelihood ... But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want … And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. Luke 15:11, 12, 14, 16 How can God allow this? What a social descent: from an heir to a swineherd; from a landowner to a beggar! The son demands his share, goes abroad, and lives until his money runs out. Then a...More Friday, June 19, 2026 In our professional lives... I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11 In our professional lives, we are repeatedly told that we never stop learning. “Lifelong learning” is the motto because the professional environment is constantly changing. As one gets older, this isn’t easy. The same principle applies to the life of Christians. The Apostle Paul writes, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” When he says, “I have learned”, it means he couldn’t do it before. However, he learned to be content despite his often changing life situations. It’s the same...More Thursday, June 18, 2026 God displays His love In this the love of God was made manifest toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9 God displays His love When God saw how people turned their backs on Him and lived sinful lives, it pained His heart (Genesis 6:6). But He didn’t let them continue on this wrong path. Out of love, He sent His Son to them, who about 2,000 years ago came to earth as the man Jesus Christ. He was to be the Saviour for lost sinners. That was God’s response to the rebellion and injustice of His creatures! Through His perfect life, the Lord...More Wednesday, June 17, 2026 God displays His power For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead … Romans 1:20 God displays His power We cannot see the living God with our physical eyes. Nevertheless, it is possible for us to get to know Him. He has revealed Himself in creation. When we reflect on how God created everything in heaven and on earth, we get an impression of His eternal power. Psalm 33:9 says, “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” That’s how powerful God is! We also marvel at...More Tuesday, June 16, 2026 During the wilderness journey... The L??? your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing. Deuteronomy 2:7 During the wilderness journey, the people of Israel had wonderful experiences with their God. What they experienced in the wilderness is similar to what we experience in our life situations. The same care that God showed His people then, He also shows us now. “For a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness” (Acts 13:18). God cared for His people like a mother lovingly cares for her baby. Similarly, God now surrounds us with His care. Nothing escapes Him that could trouble, oppress or...More Monday, June 15, 2026 Crooked rivers The way of a guilty man is perverse; but as for the pure, his work is right. Proverbs 21:8 Crooked rivers A boy gazes thoughtfully at a map. After a while, he asks his mother, “Why are all the rivers so crooked?” The answer is simple: “They wind through the landscape because they always follow the path of least resistance.” The path of our life sometimes takes a crooked course. It isn’t pre-planned. But it happens because we lack the courage to keep it straight: o Instead of confessing a committed sin, we go to great lengths to cover it up. No wonder we deviate onto crooked...More Sunday, June 14, 2026 You have answered Me Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. Psalm 22:20–21 You have answered Me In Psalm 22, we read what the Lord Jesus thought and felt on the cross. He hung there because people rejected Him and wanted to get rid of Him. But He also hung on the cross to fulfil the work of redemption. How He suffered there! In His distress, He called out to His God for help: “Deliver Me from the sword.” At the cross, when it became pitch dark at noon, God’s sword struck...More Saturday, June 13, 2026 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (5) … and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (5) Koeun, a Cambodian who has suffered greatly at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, finds faith in the Lord Jesus while in prison in a neighbouring country. Now he faces the challenge, as a Christian, of forgiving his tormentors in his heart. He narrates: “Trembling all over, I knelt down, alone in the middle of my cell. Then I prayed simply, but from the depths of my heart: ‘God, help me to forgive the Khmer Rouge.’ Then I was racked by sobs and supported myself with my hands on the...More Friday, June 12, 2026 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (4) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44–45 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (4) Cambodian Koeun, who has experienced terrible things while fleeing from the Khmer Rouge, ends up in prison in a neighbouring country. There, he comes to faith in the Lord Jesus. Soon he feels that he owes everything to Christ and that He expected...More Thursday, June 11, 2026 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (3) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (3) Cambodian Koeun remembers a conversation with Christian Paula: Paula asked me, “Koeun, why do you think the cross was chosen as the symbol of Christianity?” – During my captivity, I had read the gospels. I knew that Jesus had died on the cross, but I didn’t understand why. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “Koeun, do you remember the verse I marked for you to memorise?” I nodded: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,...More Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (2) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (2) Koeun, a Cambodian fleeing from the Khmer Rouge, is detained in a neighbouring country. There, he is visited by Paula, a Christian. Koeun realises that he cannot stand before God, who knows all his thoughts. He recalls this moment in conversation with Paula: “I was dumbfounded.” But then Paula continued, “You know, Koeun, I’m in the same situation as you. If God were to judge me for all my thoughts and...More Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (1) For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. Ecclesiastes 7:20 Fleeing from the Khmer Rouge (1) Koeun Path, a Cambodian, flees to save his life from the Khmer Rouge. In his autobiography, he describes how, after weeks of wandering in cold, hunger and fear, he finds himself as a prisoner in a neighbouring country. There, Paula, an older Christian, visits him in prison and reads the Bible with him. Koeun recalls one of the conversations with his visitor: “You know, yesterday you read me a sentence from your book that teaches that we will all be judged by God...More Monday, June 8, 2026 The Lord Jesus invites all people... All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 The Lord Jesus invites all people: “Come to me” (Matthew 11:28). No one is excluded. Whether people may be hardened criminals or decent individuals, whether they have a messed-up life or a noble character – they are invited to come to Him and believe in Him. He died on the cross so that each person could be saved through personal faith in Him. He promises, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out”. This has two meanings: 1. Whoever comes to Christ with...More Sunday, June 7, 2026 Unfathomable contrasts No one knows the Son except the Father. Matthew 11:27 Unfathomable contrasts o In Jesus Christ dwelt the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. At the same time, He was the humble servant who made Himself of no reputation. o He sustains all creation and upholds all things by the word of His power. Yet in Gethsemane, an angel came to strengthen Him. o He was the Lion of the tribe of Judah and at the same time the Lamb led to slaughter. In Him majesty and gentleness were united. o He was the image of the invisible God. Yet His appearance was marred, causing many to...More Saturday, June 6, 2026 D-Day ...having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20 D-Day D-Day refers to the decision day of a military action. Today, it stands for June 6, 1944, the beginning of the Allied landings in Normandy during World War II. On that day, the Western Front against Germany was opened. There are also “D-Days” in the history of the Christian faith: decisive days. Wasn’t the day when Jesus Christ was born such a day? Didn’t it prove that God was serious about His plan of salvation? When the set time had come, “God sent His Son” (Galatians 4:4). And wasn’t the day when...More Friday, June 5, 2026 When Job conversed with his friends... Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. Job 32:4 When Job conversed with his friends, Elihu remained silent because he was younger than they were. He listened attentively to what each one said. Surely, he knew a lot about God and His ways, but he didn’t engage in a discussion. He waited patiently and humbly until the others had finished. Meanwhile, God gave him insight into His thoughts and wisdom for the situation. Therefore, when Elihu’s time to speak came, he found the right words for Job. We often lack the patience to wait. We speak immediately and thus...More Thursday, June 4, 2026 In old age Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails. Psalm 71:9 In old age Through all life’s pains and all its trials, The Lord has always carried me. And ever since I was a child, When looking back, I now can see That God was always by my side. He never ceased to care and guide. When human strength was all in vain, It was the Lord of Life who knew— When I just could not see the way— He knew what was the best to do. God always worked behind the scenes And He took perfect care of me. He...More Wednesday, June 3, 2026 The hoopoe Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 The hoopoe In 2022, the hoopoe was chosen as the “Bird of the Year”. This bird, about 40 centimetres long with a long beak, has an orange, black-spotted crest that it raises during courtship. Its wings are black and white striped with yellow insertions, and its body is reddish-brown – a beautiful bird! The hoopoe likes to eat larger insects, larvae and worms, which it often searches for in the faeces of other...More Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Living as God desires Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:21 Living as God desires The Lord Jesus didn’t just come to earth to die on the cross for lost people. He also lived here for over 30 years to set an example for a life that pleases God. From the four gospels, we learn how Jesus honoured God in various situations through His behaviour and words: o As a child, Jesus was obedient to His parents (Luke 2:51). Thus He is the great example for every child to obey and honour father and mother. o He worked for many years as a carpenter...More Monday, June 1, 2026 Where are the Bibles? Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35 Where are the Bibles? In several countries around the world the Bible is a rare book, and this is for various reasons such as poverty, restrictions on religious freedom or widespread illiteracy. And what about where we are? There are probably more than enough Bibles. But where are they? Perhaps one is in the attic in a moving box, another in the closet, and who knows where the others have ended up – maybe in some dusty corner? “But on Sundays, don’t you need a Bible to go to...More Sunday, May 31, 2026 The Lord Jesus Christ descended from... Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5–7 The Lord Jesus Christ descended from the highest height to the deepest depth. He is God’s Son from eternity. Yet, in the fullness of time, He became a real human being. While remaining the almighty God, as demonstrated by the many miracles He performed, He gave up the outward display of divine glory. He looked like any other man but was sinless, and at the same time He was...More Saturday, May 30, 2026 Pain and joy Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 Pain and joy Once, two different groups of people came to the Lord Jesus almost simultaneously. One brought Him their pain, and the other brought Him their joy. He was there for both. 1. “Then his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:12). John the Baptist was first arrested by Herod and then killed by this cruel king. This was a blow to his disciples. Where should they go with their pain? They sought the Lord Jesus and...More Friday, May 29, 2026 The message of the cross But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 The message of the cross Above the door of a church stood the Bible verse: “We preach Christ crucified”. Over time, ivy grew up the facade and initially obscured the last two words. It then read: “We preach Christ”. After some time, only “We preach” could be read. Finally, the inscription was no longer visible. Today, the building is an overgrown ruin. This building...More Thursday, May 28, 2026 Look to the stars Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them. Genesis 15:5 Look to the stars The British theoretical physicist and astrophysicist Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) dedicated his entire life to the task of unravelling the mysteries of the universe. Once he said, “My goal is simple. It is a complete understaning of the universe ... why it is as it is and why it exists at all.” Unfortunately, with his razor-sharp intellect, this scientist completely rejected faith. In 1963, Hawking was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative motor neuron disease. Since 1968, he had...More Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Blind spots In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28 Blind spots Life is dangerous! There are accidents and serious, contagious diseases that threaten me and my life. And there’s my biological clock ticking away. It runs and runs – and will eventually run out: inevitably, one hundred percent. Some risks can be warned against. So, on January 1 2021, France enacted a requirement that vehicles over 3.5 tons must have a sticker in various places on the vehicle warning about the blind spot. It was hoped this would save lives. I can choose...More Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Divine intervention For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. Job 33:14 Divine intervention When a nuclear disaster occurred in Fukushima in March 2011 after an earthquake, Naoto Kan was Prime Minister of Japan. A few years later, he commented on this event: “I think God saved Japan at that moment. The containment vessel in Reactor 2 was about to burst like a balloon because a valve didn’t open. The explosion would have thrown huge amounts of radioactive material into the air. But miraculously, the pressure dropped. To this day, no one knows how it happened. In Reactor 4, the fuel...More Monday, May 25, 2026 For a person to be sealed with... In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise... Ephesians 1:13 For a person to be sealed with the Holy Spirit, he must both hear and believe the word of truth and the gospel of salvation. What do we understand by the word of truth? This refers to what the Bible says about God and about mankind: o The truth about God: The Bible shows us that God is holy and condemns every sin. “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil …” (Habakkuk 1:13). Therefore, He must...More Sunday, May 24, 2026 The work of the Holy Spirit However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13 The work of the Holy Spirit Before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus announced to His disciples the coming and work of the Holy Spirit. He would come to earth to dwell in believers. This was fulfilled at Pentecost, as reported in Acts 2:1–4. The Lord also told the disciples what the Spirit of God would do for them (John 16:12–15). Still today He works for the spiritual benefit of believers, enabling them to grow in faith. o “He will guide you into all truth.” Through the Bible, the...More Saturday, May 23, 2026 The gospel But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 The gospel The term “gospel” appears frequently in the Bible, meaning “good news”. However, often a word is added to this term to highlight a specific aspect of the gospel. o In our Bible text, we talk about the gospel of God. This reminds us of the originator of the gospel. It is not a message that people have invented. No, it comes from “God our Saviour, who desires all men to be...More Friday, May 22, 2026 Too active? They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept. Song of Solomon 1:6 Too active? “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10) This is one of the first spiritual impulses of a person who has come to faith in the Lord Jesus and received new life. In the heart of every Christian arises the desire to serve the Lord. For this, such a person receives a task, fitting to his abilities, which he fulfils out of love for his Saviour. However, as with everything, there is a danger here. If the emphasis on serving the Lord becomes too strong, we can be pushed into a...More Thursday, May 21, 2026 Job, in these bitter words... O that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea... Job 6:2–3 Job, in these bitter words, thinks of balance scales: on one side, he places his vexation and calamity, and on the other, the sand of the seas. The pan with the suffering goes down. His anguish outweighs massive amounts of sand. For Job, his misery is so great that it cannot be outweighed by anything. We see something different with the Apostle Paul. He writes, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more...More Wednesday, May 20, 2026 A mythical creature? God does great things, and unsearchable, marvellous things without number. Job 5:9 A mythical creature? The animal lays eggs but has only one common opening for the digestive tract and egg-laying. It is cold-blooded like a reptile, meaning its body temperature is only slightly regulated; it has fur and – like a mammal – mammary glands with which it nurses its young; and it has a bill like a duck, but the surface is as smooth as cowhide. It has a thick beaver-like tail, webbed feet like a duck, and electroreceptors to detect its prey. Additionally, it has a venomous spur on its hind foot, with...More Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Being honest with ourselves Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Psalm 19:12 Being honest with ourselves Recently, I read a quote by the writer Friedl Beutelrock: “The truth that hits us the hardest is the one we wanted to hide from ourselves”! I couldn’t help but think of my conversion: God convicted me of my guilt through a Bible verse at that time. I knelt down and confessed to Him the sins that came to mind. Later, I remembered other wrongdoings that I had long suppressed to silence my conscience. I also confessed these sins to God. This was repeated several times. Then I began...More Monday, May 18, 2026 It’s okay to ask why Why do You stand far off, O L???? Why do You hide in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1 It’s okay to ask why The Bible shows us that we can also ask God our “why” questions. Some examples: The sons of Korah ask God, “Why have You forgotten me? ... Why do You cast me off? ... Why do You hide Your face from me?” (Psalm 42:9; 43:2; 88:14). The songwriter Asaph reflects on the sad state of his people and asks, “O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? ... Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?” (Psalm 74:1,...More Sunday, May 17, 2026 Going joyfully to the house of God I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the L???. Psalm 122:1 Going joyfully to the house of God In Old Testament times, people from Israel travelled to Jerusalem to go to the temple of God there. It was a visible house in a specific location. Today, the spiritual house of God is represented wherever believers in the Lord Jesus are gathered in His name. The building itself doesn’t matter. Whether it’s large or small, comfortable or simple, doesn’t matter. The number of Christians present isn’t an issue either. Instead, the question is whether we are happy to...More Saturday, May 16, 2026 Moved with compassion But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 Moved with compassion When the Lord Jesus was here on earth, He encountered various people and groups of people. He had come to visit mankind and to show mercy. In doing so, He encountered much misery and need. He cared for each person individually. For example, He cared for two blind men sitting by the roadside, healed a leper, and comforted a widow who was burying her only son (Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13). On each occasion, we read...More Friday, May 15, 2026 Not yet read? So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 Not yet read? A radio and television presenter admitted to sleeping little and instead spending a lot of time reading. “I read at least two books a day,” he said. In his private library of 3,000 books, arranged by author, there is plenty of reading material: novels, philosophy, theatre ... “Could it be that you haven’t read a particular classic yet?” he was asked. “Yes, the Bible,” he admitted...More Thursday, May 14, 2026 Hands of blessing And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. Luke 24:50–51 Hands of blessing The Lord Jesus Christ was condemned to death in Jerusalem. Outside that city, He suffered and died on the cross. After His resurrection, He led His followers out of Jerusalem. In doing so, He separated them from Judaism and made them strangers in the world. The exhortation in Hebrews 13:13 still applies today: “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His...More Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Rescue Rescue me and deliver me. Psalm 144:11 Rescue The flight student now knew almost all the rules and secrets of aviation. Only one challenging lesson remained: when the aircraft enters a spin, the pilot has to pull it out of the “vortex” to prevent it from ending up in a spiral descent. First, the flight instructor explained the procedure. Then it was put into practice. At an altitude of 4,000 metres, the instructor brought the aircraft into the infamous spin with a few manoeuvres. The aspiring pilot attempted his skills, but in practice it was much more difficult than in theory. The plane...More Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Onesiphorus The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 2 Timothy 1:16–17 Onesiphorus In 1 John 3:18, we read, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth.” Onesiphorus provides a beautiful example of this genuine, active brotherly love. He travelled from Ephesus to Rome to visit the imprisoned apostle. Onesiphorus didn’t hesitate to stand by Paul, even when all the Christians in Asia had turned away from the...More Monday, May 11, 2026 The fear of death runs deep in the hearts... Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. Psalm 55:5 The fear of death runs deep in the hearts of many people. Even believers can be overcome by it. Although it is often suppressed, it remains a reality. Fortunately, there is hope for the “afterlife”. This prospect is offered to us by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He said, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18). When He died on the cross and rose to life on the third day, He defeated...More Sunday, May 10, 2026 Tempted by the devil Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Luke 4:13 Tempted by the devil What must it have been like for the Lord Jesus to spend 40 days in the wilderness and be tempted by Satan! During this time, the devil did everything to make Him stumble. Yet he found no foothold in Christ for his temptations because there is no sin in Him (1 John 3:5). Every attack of the enemy fell flat. He couldn’t sway Jesus from His complete submission to God’s will. He failed to shake His perfect trust in God’s love. For 40 days and 40 nights the devil...More Saturday, May 9, 2026 The eyes of God Behold, the eye of the L??? is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 33:18 The eyes of God A Christian was seriously ill and was scheduled for surgery. On the day before his hospital admission, a friend visited him and asked, “How are you? Aren’t you a bit afraid?” “Yes,” said the sick person, “I felt really heavy-hearted. But a fellow believer pointed me to the Lord and said, ‘Just look to the Lord Jesus, and it will be easier!’ That’s what I’m doing now and I am completely calm.” Then his friend...More Friday, May 8, 2026 Abundantly pardoned Let the wicked forsake his way, ... let him return to the L???, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 Abundantly pardoned Tired, I leave work and head to the bus stop. There, I see a man being searched by the police. Leaning against a police car with his arms raised, he is being frisked by an officer. But what’s this? I can’t believe my eyes! Suddenly, the man punches the officer and runs away. The policeman falls to the ground but quickly gets back up and gives chase. The fugitive runs across the street and then towards the train...More Thursday, May 7, 2026 The story of the picture I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11 The story of the picture I was born in North Africa but raised in France. From an external perspective I belonged to Islam, but in reality I was an atheist. As a passionate musician, I played numerous instruments and composed songs. One day, the head of my music publishing company suggested to me to write a musical. As I left the building, it started to rain, and I took shelter under a canopy which happened to be outside a church. When I entered, my gaze fell upon a depiction of a person holding a lamb in his arms....More Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Unbelievers plan their lives without seeking... But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Ecclesiastes 11:9 Unbelievers plan their lives without seeking God’s will. They live as they please, without considering the claims of their Creator. Even if their actions seem good and noble, they are like a dirty garment before God (Isaiah 64:5). Three times God repeats His judgment on the whole of mankind in the Bible: “They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who dies good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:3; 53:3; Romans 3:12). The judgment of God that awaits people is like a chain with three...More Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Discarding the wrong Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking … 1 Peter 2:1 Discarding the wrong In today’s Bible passage, we as Christians are called to get rid of every form of evil in our hearts, on our tongues, and in our behaviour. First and foremost, we mustn’t give the old nature within us any opportunity to express itself. If it has come to the forefront due to lack of care, we need to immediately condemn its negative manifestations. o Malice includes everything we do intentionally to harm someone. It starts with bad thoughts and can be...More Monday, May 4, 2026 Confession I acknowledged my sin to You and my iniquity I have not hidden. Psalm 32:5 Confession King David committed a grave sin: he committed adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently arranged for her husband to be killed in a military attack. He tried everything to cover up the matter, but God knew everything. He couldn’t hide anything from Him. Looking back, David describes the sad time after his wrongdoing with these words: “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of...More Sunday, May 3, 2026 During His imprisonment and trial, the Lord Jesus was... Thus I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth is no response. Psalm 38:14 During His imprisonment and trial, the Lord Jesus was faced with outrageous accusations. What His enemies brought against Him wasn’t true at all. He could have refuted any accusation with a few words. Yet He remained silent instead of defending Himself. To the great amazement of Pilate, the defendant remained silent, even though the Roman governor had asked Him to respond. Similarly, He didn’t protest when people mistreated Him. He silently endured their malice. Usually, a person vehemently defends...More Saturday, May 2, 2026 Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked Persons For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, … He saved us. Matthew 18:11; Titus 3:4-5 Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked Persons Until the mid-19th century, shipwreck survivors were left to their own devices. When the emigrant ship Johanne sank off the island of Spiekeroog in 1854, an observer wrote that the sight of the survivors was even sadder than that of the dead, as no one cared for them. At that time, beaches weren’t regularly guarded or patrolled, and information...More Friday, May 1, 2026 The unknown witness God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 The unknown witness One evening, a friend of ours was approached on the street and asked to act as a witness for a will that a notary was to certify on a deathbed. Since the situation was urgent, our friend agreed, even though he knew neither the patient nor the notary. After the formalities were completed, he...More Thursday, April 30, 2026 CC people I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 CC people When sending emails, one can include recipients in “CC”. But what does “CC” actually stand for? CC is the abbreviation of carbon copy, which means copying with carbon paper. This dark, staining paper is placed between two sheets so that when writing on the top sheet, a copy is made on the bottom sheet. Someone appearing in an email under “CC” is thus not the direct recipient but merely receives a “digital copy” for information. Working with copies in everyday life can be useful. But we...More

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 God instructed Abram to lift up his eyes and... Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. Genesis 13:14–15 God instructed Abram to lift up his eyes and behold the land that He would give him. He was to look in all four directions from his elevated position to gain an overview of the beautiful land of Canaan. Then God gave Abram another directive: “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width.” He was to explore Canaan, discovering and admiring its attractive landscape in...More Monday, April 27, 2026 In his book “The Old Man and the Sea”... As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labour which he may carry away in his hand. Ecclesiastes 5:15 In his book “The Old Man and the Sea”, writer Ernest Hemingway tells the story of Santiago, a poor fisherman hoping for the catch of his life. For days, however, he is plagued by bad luck and returns home empty-handed. Today, however, is supposed to be his lucky day. Santiago rows further out than usual and casts his lines. Indeed, a gigantic marlin bites! This catch would secure his future. Hope arises. A days-long...More Sunday, April 26, 2026 There’s a time for speech From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 There’s a time for speech When the Lord Jesus performed His public ministry in Israel, He preached the Word of God. From the beginning, the listeners realised that He taught quite differently from the Pharisees and scribes: “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). What was the difference? 1. Before them stood not a man but the Son of God, who spoke to them with divine authority and...More Saturday, April 25, 2026 The sin register Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the L??? does not impute iniquity. Psalm 32:1–2 The sin register “Check Your Sin Register” reads a headline in the newspaper. It happens so quickly and easily that a person becomes a traffic offender, often resulting in points on one’s driving record. Serious traffic offences are listed and archived centrally. Anyone who wants to know if his driver’s licence is at risk can request a free report from the authorities. Imagine if we could peek into our personal sin register with God....More Friday, April 24, 2026 Do you know him too? I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:14-15 Do you know him too? An old man lies in the hospital. He feels that his end is near. But today he receives a visit from his ten-year-old grandson. Also present are some friends of the patient. The boy has an urgent question for his grandfather, which he wants to ask him alone. Should he leave again? No, he gathers his courage and asks the others to leave the room for a moment. Somewhat surprised by this request, everyone leaves...More Thursday, April 23, 2026 God judges us He who believes in Him is not condemned. John 3:18 God judges us Ratings are “in”! We rate craftsmen and doctors, trips and books, toothbrushes and cars. We rate because we are angry or completely thrilled. We rate whether the pizza tasted good or was delivered cold, whether we liked the book or it arrived late, whether our accommodation was excellent or the vacation was rainy. Sometimes we are in a good mood and give a lot of stars – sometimes we are critical and give only a few stars. And sometimes we copy those who have given ratings before we have. But we are also...More Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Divine selection The base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen. 1 Corinthians 1:28 Divine selection God offers His saving grace to all people. Yet, generally, influential and recognised people struggle to believe in the gospel. Often it is simple and despised people who acknowledge their guilt before God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Because they don’t think highly of themselves, it’s easier for them to accept God’s grace for salvation. For this reason, God chooses insignificant people to carry out His will and work. This is evident in several examples...More Tuesday, April 21, 2026 In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul gives... Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:13 In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul gives instructions to his co-worker Timothy for his ministry to believers. Let’s apply what he says today to our daily family devotion. It begins with the public reading of the Word of God. The chosen Bible passage should correspond to the age of the children. Especially suitable are the gospels, which describe the Lord Jesus and His merciful works. But stories from the Old Testament that are easily understood by children can also work well. When reading the Bible, we all...More Monday, April 20, 2026 The path of faith David strengthened himself in the L??? his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 The path of faith Difficult moments in life – who doesn’t know them? Everything around us seems dark and gloomy. The path ahead is full of obstacles. How can we go on? In such a situation, we may become discouraged. At that time it is so necessary to seek the help of our God, as David did when everything was against him. His family had been taken captive by enemies, and his followers wanted to stone him. In those times, he strengthened himself in his God. Nothing justifies neglecting contact with God. No matter...More Sunday, April 19, 2026 The most important question My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Matthew 27:46 The most important question Who asked this profound question? It was the Lord Jesus Christ during the three hours of darkness on the cross. He is the eternal Son of God, who is in the bosom of the Father and possesses the Father’s favour. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, who sustains everything by His omnipotence. He is the pure, sinless man who never committed a sin in His entire life. From the manger in Bethlehem to the cross at Calvary, He lived in perfect accordance with the will of God. Every thought,...More Saturday, April 18, 2026 Bringing light into darkness In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 1:4; John 8:12 Bringing light into darkness During our journey through Peru, we visited one of the many caves found in the mountains. We were all equipped with headlamps. The guide led the way, showing us various rock formations. Although his explanations were interesting, the darkness started to weigh on us over time. We were relieved when we emerged into daylight...More Friday, April 17, 2026 Chrysostom When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realised that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 Chrysostom John of Antioch (344/349–407), called Chrysostom, wrote in the 4th century ??: “If those say that the apostles were uneducated men, then we will add and say that they were ignorant, poor, lowly, and obscure men. ... These ignorant, uneducated, and unschooled men defeated and scattered the wise and the powerful, the tyrants and those inflated with wealth, honour, and other external goods, ... Consider: the...More Thursday, April 16, 2026 Prayer answered – in peril of death But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. James 1:6 Prayer answered – in peril of death Hudson Taylor (1832–1905) was one of the first missionaries to travel to China to spread the Christian message there. On his travels he experienced a lot, but there was one event he never forgot. For several days, the wind had been decreasing more and more, and now the sailing ship on which Taylor was travelling was no longer manoeuvrable. Helplessly, it drifted towards a small island. Panic was already spreading, and Taylor himself stood anxiously at the rail. The captain approached him and asked,...More Wednesday, April 15, 2026 More than a museum Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 More than a museum In an art exhibition we can admire the paintings and sculptures of old masters. The varied representation of colours and forms, shadows and light attests to the expressive power of their creations. In Hebrews 11, we find an impressive account of past heroes of faith. As we read, we are led through a gallery of men and women who trusted and obeyed...More Tuesday, April 14, 2026 To be merry without end And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24 To be merry without end The story of the younger son thankfully does not end with him being destitute after a life of extravagance. In his need, he remembered his good home which he had so stubbornly left. He decided to return to his father, confessing his sins. So he set out and went to his father. The father saw him from afar, ran to meet him, and embraced him. The son had not expected such a reception. Immediately, he made a confession: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your...More Monday, April 13, 2026 A sad beginning without end He began to be in want. Luke 15:14 A sad beginning without end The Lord Jesus once told the story of a father who had two sons (Luke 15:11-32). The younger one demanded his share of the inheritance and left his father. He travelled to a distant country and wasted his wealth there. He lived extravagantly until he had spent everything. Then a severe famine arose, and now he began to be in need. The father points to God, who has given an “inheritance” to all people. As the Creator, He endowed them with much good: beauty, strength, time, health, talent – all of this comes from God....More Sunday, April 12, 2026 Shame and disgrace I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 Shame and disgrace In today’s verse, the Lord Jesus prophetically speaks of the sufferings inflicted upon Him by people shortly before His crucifixion. It impresses us how calmly He endured all the abuse. “I gave My back to those who struck Me.” This word was fulfilled when Jesus stood before the Roman judge. In John 19:1, we read, “So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.” Cruel lashes from the whip struck the Saviour’s...More Saturday, April 11, 2026 I can’t take anymore! No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 I can’t take anymore! Have you ever reached a point where you felt, “I can’t take anymore!”? That’s understandable. You’re already facing difficulties, and new ones keep coming. You just don’t see a way out. It surpasses your outer and inner strength. How will you go on? Perhaps some Bible passages will help...More Friday, April 10, 2026 Lost in the catacombs All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the L??? has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 Lost in the catacombs In 1798, French troops under the leadership of Napoleon occupied the city of Rome. In the euphoria of victory, a group of officers decided to visit the famous catacombs to have a real celbrationcelebration there. Catacombs are underground burial places connected by an extensive system of kilometre-long passages. Here, where Christian martyrs were buried and hymns were sung in the past, they wanted to drink and joke. One of the...More Thursday, April 9, 2026 With great jubilation in the NASA control centre... How then can man be righteous before God? ... Even ... the stars are not pure in His sight; how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm? Job 25:4–6 With great jubilation in the NASA control centre, on February 18, 2021, the Mars rover “Perseverance” landed on the red planet. What drives us small humans to such a costly and risky undertaking? How apt is the comparison in today’s verse! In view of the vastness of the universe, do we, with our limited horizon, not resemble a worm trying to cross an asphalt road? Nevertheless, the eternal Creator God is not...More Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Three Ms Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. John 11:32 Three Ms In times of sickness, mourning and testing, the three Ms in John 11 are a great help to us. They give our faith in God new courage. The Son of God presents them to us Himself, in the way He encountered the tested family in Bethany. When the Lord Jesus heard about the severe illness of His friend Lazarus, He stayed two more days where He was. In this, we see that the Lord always waits for God’s moment. Only...More Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Pleasing God Blessed is the man who fears the L???, who delights greatly in His commandments. Psalm 112:1 Pleasing God Do you want to be a happy Christian? Then take today’s Bible verse as the guiding principle of your life. Fearing the Lord does not mean that you have to be afraid of God. Through faith in the Lord Jesus, you are His beloved child! However, that doesn’t exclude having the utmost respect for Him. True fear of God is a respectful attitude towards God, with whom you have a happy relationship. It motivates you to lead a life that honours God. With this desire in your...More Monday, April 6, 2026 Christ has conquered! And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. Matthew 28:7 Christ has conquered! During the Battle of Waterloo, the English used a system of flag signals to inform themselves about the progress of the fight. One signal station was located on the tower of Winchester Cathedral. Towards evening, the flags signalled, “Wellington defeated!” At that moment, an approaching mist obscured the view of the tower. The news of the supposed catastrophe spread rapidly through the city. Many people fell into despair. Suddenly, the mist cleared. Then the rest of...More Sunday, April 5, 2026 The Lord Jesus had freed Mary Magdalene from... Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. Mark 16:9 The Lord Jesus had freed Mary Magdalene from the bondage of Satan. In response, she had followed Him and served Him (Luke 8:2–3). After His death and burial, she was the first to go to the tomb early on Sunday morning. She did not hesitate to make this journey out of the city before sunrise. When she arrived at the tomb, she saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance and the tomb was empty. Immediately, she ran to Peter and John to inform them of...More Saturday, April 4, 2026 Freed from slavery But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Romans 6:17 Freed from slavery Throughout history, both nationally and internationally, the slave trade has been repeatedly fought against. Unfortunately, however, many people – especially women, children and the poor – are still oppressed and abused in many countries under the most terrible conditions. Forced prostitution, human trafficking, and smuggling are commonplace – often even in our immediate surroundings! Surely we remember the cruel scenes that...More Friday, April 3, 2026 Three crosses They crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre. John 19:18 Three crosses About 2,000 years ago, outside the city of Jerusalem stood three crosses. The middle cross carried the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. He suffered there for the sins of others and gave His life as a ransom for lost mankind. On the third day after His crucifixion, He rose from the dead and then ascended into heaven forty days later. On one side of the Saviour hung a criminal who, in those moments, recognised his guilt before God. He knew he had to die because he...More Thursday, April 2, 2026 The Lord Jesus Christ is with us But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore. John 21:4 The Lord Jesus Christ is with us After the resurrection of Jesus, seven disciples, at Peter’s initiative, went fishing on the Sea of Galilee. But in that night, despite their efforts and experience, they caught nothing. When the early morning comes, Jesus stands on the shore. He sees their failure and discouragement. He also knows they are hungry and cold after this long night. The presence of the Lord changes the situation. He instructs the disciples to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They obey Him and...More Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Facing death But My salvation will be forever. ... Listen to Me! Isaiah 51:6–7 Facing death The explosion was so powerful that it shook the entire neighbourhood. I remember the crash caused by the explosion and the irresistible force that threw me to the ground ... In the hospital, I regained consciousness, my scalp full of shards of glass, heavily dazed and weak. The accident had happened in Belfast. A bomb had exploded in a delivery van. But I was still alive and practically uninjured, even though there were many casualties! I realised that I had narrowly escaped death. On the one...More Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Is the God of Jacob also your God? I have loved you, says the L???. Yet you say, In what have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? says the L???. Malachi 1:2 Is the God of Jacob also your God? Esau and Jacob were twin brothers, children of believing parents. From a human standpoint, their starting point in life was very similar. Later, both became successful, wealthy men. Yet, there was a significant difference between them: their relationship with God. Esau was a “godless” man (Hebrews 12:16). Jacob, on the other hand, despite many shortcomings, lived before God, so much so that the L??? repeatedly...More Monday, March 30, 2026 Only what’s done for Christ will last For to me, to live is Christ. Philippians 1:21 Only what’s done for Christ will last Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ...More Sunday, March 29, 2026 The bridegroom and the bride Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Revelation 21:9 The bridegroom and the bride The Lord Jesus compares His relationship with the assembly or church of God, consisting of all believers from the present period of grace, to the relationship of a bridegroom with his bride. He draws this parallel to demonstrate His perfect love for the church: 1. What has the bridegroom done for his bride in the past? “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). He died on the cross to possess the church as His heavenly bride. Such is His love! 2....More Saturday, March 28, 2026 Grace instead of law You are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14 Grace instead of law The Apostle Paul addresses this Bible verse to believers in Christ. They have believed in the gospel and have been saved. With this, they have started a new life with God. They are not under the obligation to keep the law because they have been set free from it. Their relationship with God is not determined by the commandments of “You shall” and “You shall not”. As believers, they voluntarily present themselves to Him and obey Him out of love. If the law were the standard of their lives, they would not...More Friday, March 27, 2026 A meaningful sentence He who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47 A meaningful sentence With today’s verse, the Lord Jesus presents the gospel of grace in brief. Each word carries profound meaning: o He who believes in Me has everlasting life. The Lord Jesus Christ addresses every person. No one is excluded from the offer of grace. Everyone can come to Him and believe in Him. The way to eternal life is open to all. o He who believes in Me has everlasting life. Only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus can we be saved and receive eternal life. This faith excludes any...More Thursday, March 26, 2026 Not seeing, yet believing For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Not seeing, yet believing The Christian journey is characterised not by sight but by faith. An invisible Saviour and Lord is at the centre of it. After His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus appeared to His disciples for a short period of time. However, they had to learn that He would no longer remain physically with them. On the one hand, they should be fully convinced that He had risen and was alive. On the other hand, they were acquainted with a new fact: the Lord Jesus would soon ascend to heaven, becoming an object of faith...More Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Only the Bible changes lives He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy. And they glorified God in me. Galatians 1:23–24 Only the Bible changes lives Elie Wiesel (1928–2016), a Jew and a Holocaust survivor, believed “that only education offers hope that this [the Holocaust] will never happen again.” Yet preventing evil is not a matter of education, for education has never made anyone more loving and considerate, or less selfish. Marcel Reich-Ranicki (1920–2013) was also a Jew and a Holocaust survivor. He was Germany’s most popular, controversial and contentious...More Tuesday, March 24, 2026 The involuntary listener For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 The involuntary listener Tibor works in a wood factory in Hungary. Whenever he saws through the huge tree trunks, he sings Christian songs to the rhythm of his saw. His colleagues know many of them by heart and sing along vigorously: songs to the glory of God! Only one person is annoyed by this: his boss. He has often asked Tibor to stop singing but to no avail. One day, however, he’s had enough. Angrily, he interrupts the singing and shouts, “Tibor,...More Monday, March 23, 2026 Have you at least tasted? Oh, taste and see that the L??? is good! Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 Have you at least tasted? An atheist professor concluded his lecture and invited questions from the audience. An elderly gentleman stood up and positioned himself beside the speaker. Then he pulled an orange out of his pocket and began to peel it. The speaker urged him to ask his question, but the other continued calmly peeling the orange. Afterward, he ate it piece by piece, without saying a word. When he finished, he turned to the professor and said, “Now to my question. Tell me, was this orange bitter or...More Sunday, March 22, 2026 Grateful remembrance Do this in remembrance of Me. Luke 22:19 Grateful remembrance The Lord Jesus has given us His memorial supper so that we may remember Him and His death on the cross every Sunday. We should never forget what happened at Golgotha, on the cross of Calvary: o We reflect on the love of God. He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us unto death. That’s how much God loved us! o We contemplate the sufferings of the Saviour which He endured from men. How it pained Him when they tormented and mocked Him! o We admire Jesus Christ as He prayed for His enemies:...More Saturday, March 21, 2026 How do I become a Christian? I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 How do I become a Christian? Ole Hallesby (1879–1961) was a theology professor in Oslo. Even during his studies, he couldn’t imagine becoming a Christian as he was repelled by devout Christians. He thought their fear of God was exaggerated, their singing and prayers on their knees were over the top, and he found their discussions about the Bible intrusive and too personal. He thought it would be a sacrifice to become like...More Friday, March 20, 2026 Abhorring evil But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. Colossians 3:8–10 Abhorring evil “Miss Missionary, I’m still not part of Jesus!” – The old woman, Mrs. Wang, sounds desperate: Just the day before, she had confessed her sins to the Lord Jesus and put her trust in Him. But now, sadly, she takes the missionary’s hand and says, “I’m not...More Thursday, March 19, 2026 Abram had rescued his nephew Lot... Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. Genesis 15:1 Abram had rescued his nephew Lot, who had been taken prisoner by a hostile army with the inhabitants of Sodom. Afterward, Abram had declined the reward offered by the King of Sodom, who wanted to give him the entire spoils of the campaign. After these events, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” o Abram did not need to fear retribution from the hostile forces because God was his shield, providing him with complete...More Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Wonderful rescue This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 Wonderful rescue In February 1952, a severe storm rages on the American East Coast. The oil tanker SS Pendleton is torn in two by the force of the hurricane. The captain loses his life. In the still-floating stern of the tanker, there are 32 surviving sailors. When news of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard, Bernie Webber undertakes a daring rescue mission with three men. While the storm still rages, they set sail and reach the shipwreck. Just before the tanker...More Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Planning with God If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. James 4:15 Planning with God In our lives, we need to constantly think ahead and make plans. When we are young, we face questions about education, job opportunities or places to live. As parents, we have decisions to make in raising our children. Even the step into retirement often requires some preparation and planning. As Christians, we plan according to the motto: “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” This guiding principle shouldn’t be just a phrase but a lived reality. o We seek the...More Monday, March 16, 2026 God created man pure and good... Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. John 8:34 God created man pure and good. However soon after, man fell into sin. Since then, he has been enslaved by this evil principle within him. Sin consists of the evil desire that corrupts man and the self-will that makes him violent (Genesis 6:11). How can he be set free from it? 1. The truth sets free: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Man must acknowledge what God says about him in the Bible: he is a slave to sin and cannot free himself from this bondage. Once he believes in the Saviour Jesus...More Sunday, March 15, 2026 John the Baptist was the forerunner of... John came baptising in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptised by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Mark 1:4-5 John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus. He had the task of preparing the people of God for the coming of the promised Messiah. He did it in two ways: 1. He called people to repentance and to turn their lives toward God to be ready for Christ. 2. He showed them the greatness of the Messiah. As they became aware of the glory of...More Saturday, March 14, 2026 A genetically programmed death For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. 2 Samuel 14:14 A genetically programmed death Bamboo grows faster than any other plant. But it has a mysterious peculiarity: depending on the species, it blooms every 80 to 140 years – and then dies. In 1910, botanist Ernest Henry Wilson (1876–1930) discovered a new species of bamboo in China. He dug up a shoot and took it with him to England. Since this species did not produce undesirable runners, it became a popular ornamental plant in English gardens. For decades, it grew...More Friday, March 13, 2026 God has spoken to me Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Jeremiah 15:16 God has spoken to me During the Cold War era, only a few Christians in the former Soviet Union owned a Bible. In a particular city, the believers of a congregation had long prayed to obtain a Bible. Not even their pastor owned one. And in answer to their prayer, one day a visitor from the West came to the city and presented the pastor with a Bible. How great was the joy among these believers and their thankfulness to God when their pastor showed them his Bible the next Sunday! Finally,...More Thursday, March 12, 2026 The heavenly inheritance An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, (is) reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:4 The heavenly inheritance My wife inherited a complete set of silver cutlery from her grandparents. It reminds us of the love of Grandpa and Grandma and the wonderful vacations she spent with them. So, we keep this “treasure” as a memory of our grandparents. Recently, we took out the silver cutlery to show it to our children. To our dismay, we found that it had lost its shine. Instead, there were ugly, dark stains all over the silver. Fortunately, they could be removed...More Wednesday, March 11, 2026 The spreading of the gospel produces... And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, We will hear you again on this matter. Acts 17:32 The spreading of the gospel produces various reactions: o The evaders gracefully change the subject, addressing some societal issue to divert attention from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. o The tolerant ones do not generally deny the biblical message, as they allow different religious opinions to coexist. From their perspective, everyone should be saved in their own way. o The resistors reject everything that comes from the Bible. They...More Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Joseph as a servant So Joseph found favour in his sight, and served him. Genesis 39:4 Joseph as a servant We know Joseph not only as the son of Jacob, loved by his father and wearing a colourful coat. We also read about him faithfully serving as a slave in Potiphar’s house. He was first a son of his father, then a servant of men, and finally a ruler over the land of Egypt. Thus, he points to the Lord Jesus Christ, who came from heaven to earth to be a servant and to suffer and die on the cross. As a result of this devoted service unto death, God exalted Him to His right hand. Joseph found...More Monday, March 9, 2026 What is forgiveness? Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Hebrews 10:17 What is forgiveness? When we confess our sins to God, He forgives us. With that, the question of our guilt before Him is solved once and for all because the Saviour has wiped them away through His atoning death. God does not revisit them, for He will never remember our sins again. To help us grasp the significance of His forgiveness, He uses various images in the Bible: o In his thanksgiving prayer for divine rescue, King Hezekiah expressed it this way: “You have cast all my sins behind Your back” (Isaiah...More Sunday, March 8, 2026 Complete surrender So Jesus said to Peter, put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me? John 18:11 Complete surrender When the enemies came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, Peter defended his Master. He drew his sword and cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. What did the Lord do? He healed the wounded and thus rectified the damage caused by His disciple. Then He told Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath.” How great was His grace for both the servant who confronted Him and Peter, who wanted to defend Him with misguided zeal! Even more...More Saturday, March 7, 2026 Last words The Apostle Paul writes: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ... For I am hardpressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Philippians 1:21, 23 Last words An art collector lay on his deathbed. The priest summoned to his side held a crucifix before his eyes. With an interested gaze, the dying man examined it and whispered, “Ivory ... 18th century ... of moderate value.” With that, he closed his eyes and let his head sink onto the pillow. He was dead. His entire life had been devoted to the study of objects of art. He could...More Friday, March 6, 2026 There is a resurrection! The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth. John 5:28–29 There is a resurrection! Death does not mark the end of human existence. While the body is laid in the grave and decays, the spirit and soul go to the realm of the dead. The question is only whether we die without the forgiveness of our sins, or whether we are in harmony with God because we have believed in the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ during our lives. Today’s Bible verse clearly testifies that the Son of God will one day resurrect all people. What seems impossible to us will...More Thursday, March 5, 2026 Has Jesus touched your heart yet? By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:19 Has Jesus touched your heart yet? I was eight years old when my brother was born, and 10 when my parents separated. On the day my mother left with my little brother, my life was turned upside down. I felt completely rejected! My grandparents took me in and although they were good to me, my entire youth was marked by becoming increasingly dependent on alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. When I was 13, my grandmother came to faith in Christ. She made a lot of...More Wednesday, March 4, 2026 As He is! Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. Mark 4:36 As He is! At the end of a busy day, the disciples take the Lord Jesus as He is, in the boat, to sail to the other shore of the Sea of Galilee. In the same way, we have Him with us in our lifeboat when we are children of God through faith in Him. But do we also know Him as He is? This story shows us exactly that. It wasn’t a calm crossing, for a severe storm arose. And Jesus? He was sleeping in the back of the boat on a pillow. He was so tired! And such peace filled His heart that He could sleep...More Tuesday, March 3, 2026 The support of the Lord The L??? upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14 The support of the Lord On the way to our heavenly home, the Lord comes to our aid to prevent us from falling by the wayside. o He upholds those who are falling. As believers, we encounter many dangers in everyday life. The devil tries to lead us into sin, and the world attempts to divert us from the Lord through its offers. Thus, our path is like an icy path where we could slip at any moment. But the Lord Jesus is there to support us, preventing us from stumbling. He stands by us and preserves us step by...More Monday, March 2, 2026 God’s call to repentance Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the L???, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 God’s call to repentance When we turn into the wrong street at an intersection, we soon hear the voice from the GPS saying, “Please make a U-turn!” If we don’t heed this instruction, the GPS searches for a new route to reach the predetermined destination. It persists in seeking to lead us to our destination. In the same way, God is concerned about bringing us to Himself. His goal is to...More Sunday, March 1, 2026 Sent, come and came forth I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. John 8:42 Sent, come and came forth The Bible uses three different expressions to describe how the Son of God came to earth as a man. When we reflect on them, we are once again aware of the wonder of His unfathomable person: 1. “The works which the Father has given Me to finish … bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me” (John 5:36). The Son allowed Himself to be sent by the Father to earth to proclaim a message from Him and to fulfil His mission. Therefore, He was willing to take...More Saturday, February 28, 2026 Patrick Hamilton – faithful unto death Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 Patrick Hamilton – faithful unto death Patrick Hamilton (1504–1528) was a descendant of the Scottish King James II. During his studies in Paris, he came into contact with the teachings of Luther. As he studied the New Testament, he soon gained a deep knowledge of the Word of God, which is “the truth” (John 17:17). In 1527, he went to Germany to deepen his knowledge. At the University of Marburg, Hamilton wrote a book in which he highlighted the contrasts between the Law of Moses and the gospel,...More Friday, February 27, 2026 “I do not believe in Christianity!” I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 “I do not believe in Christianity!” Li An was a Chinese Christian who was imprisoned for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. After a long stint in prison, he stood before the court again. “Do you still believe in Christianity?” asked the prosecutor with a contemptuous look. “No,” Li An replied. “So, we have finally turned you,” the prosecutor said triumphantly. “No, I never believed in Christianity. I believe in Jesus Christ.” This...More Thursday, February 26, 2026 The film of your life Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 The film of your life Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth in the Caribbean connected to the USA. The island is considered a central gateway for drugs from South America to the USA. Police and drug enforcement agencies have their hands full there. Many drug couriers caught in the past are incarcerated on the island. A Christian woman used to regularly visit prisoners and occasionally attended court hearings of offenders. One day, Hector, a notorious drug smuggler, was convicted. He was caught when a conversation he had with another...More Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Calling upon God I will call upon God, and the L??? shall save me. Psalm 55:16 Calling upon God Today’s Bible verse applies to all people who have recognised their lost condition before God. They have realised with horror that He has to condemn them because they have not lived as He required. Instead of honouring and obeying Him, they have acted wilfully and committed much evil. Therefore, they understand that they deserve God’s punishment. This frightening realisation doesn’t have to drive them to despair. They can call upon God and plead for His mercy. Then He shows them the way out: “Believe...More Tuesday, February 24, 2026 An unequal yoke Jehoshaphat … allied himself with Ahab. After some years he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab ... persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. 2 Chronicles 18:1–2 An unequal yoke King Jehoshaphat believed in God and lived for Him. But one day, he allied himself with the godless King Ahab and joined forces with him. How did this happen? o Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab. His son Jehoram married the daughter of the king of Israel. Now he was related to Ahab by family ties. – Today, as Christians, we often face the danger of forming improper relationships with...More Monday, February 23, 2026 Chosen He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4 Chosen I never knew my parents and I grew up in a children’s home. One day, a couple appeared because they wanted to adopt a child. I saw them standing there, making their choice – and I wished they would pick me. I longed for a home, for a father and a mother, but they chose someone else. The years passed. Many couples came and chose – but I remained. I hoped and wished with all my heart to belong somewhere! But no one wanted me. Once I...More Sunday, February 22, 2026 Revelation and worship I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. Psalm 22:22 Revelation and worship What the Lord Jesus predicts in today’s Bible verse was fulfilled after His death and resurrection. “I will declare Your name to My brethren.” This happened when He told the disciples: “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God” (John 20:17). The disciples formed the initial core of believers in the age of grace. Therefore, this communication also concerns us. Jesus Christ has revealed to us the name of the Father and the...More Saturday, February 21, 2026 Just one step There is but a step between me and death. 1 Samuel 20:3 Just one step For days, magnificent winter weather prevailed: blue skies, radiant sun, with temperatures below zero degrees so that the snow did not melt. The ski lifts were in operation, and downhill skiers frolicked on the slopes. Those who loved cross-country skiing made their tracks on the marked trail. Others sought their own path off the designated route, although this had already put many in danger. Everyone wanted to enjoy the winter day and the opportunity to relax in their own way. On one such day, a woman traced her...More Friday, February 20, 2026 Who is truly free? Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 Who is truly free? Bernard Palissy (about 1510–1590) was a famous French ceramic artist of the Renaissance who was imprisoned because of his faith. The French King Henry II wanted to save Palissy’s life, as he produced uniquely beautiful vases. However, neither threats nor tempting offers could persuade the prisoner to renounce his faith. Finally, the king himself went to prison to urge Palissy to recant. “If you do not recant,” the king added, “I am forced to sentence you to death.” “Your...More Thursday, February 19, 2026 In the mud He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. Psalm 40:2 In the mud After the snowmelt, the higher fields could already be sown. The lower-lying fields were still partly underwater. Here, two boys wanted to try out their new rubber boots. They waded into the puddles and did not suspect that there were quite deep marshy spots. Suddenly, one boy sank deep into the mud. He tried to step backward to free himself, but it didn’t work. As he pulled one foot out of the mud, the other sank even deeper. The boots became...More Wednesday, February 18, 2026 You are with Me Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. Psalm 23:4 You are with Me The Lord Jesus never leaves His own alone. Many believers have experienced this in very difficult circumstances. 1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, Daniel’s three friends, refused to worship the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They remained faithful to the living God and were thrown into the fiery furnace. Suddenly, a fourth man was seen with them: it was the Son of God, who came to them and supported them in this test of faith. 2....More Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Sin in the life of the believer My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1 Sin in the life of the believer The Apostle John warns us not to sin as children of God. The wonderful forgiveness we possess through faith in Jesus Christ should never lead us to treat sin lightly. From God’s perspective, it is not normal for us, as believers, to continue in sin. Consider the following: On the one hand, we may still sin because the old nature remains in us and tempts us to do wrong; on the other...More Monday, February 16, 2026 The hitch-hiker Who among you will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? Isaiah 42:23 The hitch-hiker An incident from several years ago clearly illustrates that God pursues and addresses individuals. He has encounters with them so they might have a relationship with Him. A Christian picks up a hitch-hiker on the way to the train station. During the five-minute ride, he gathers the courage to address the hitch-hiker on the central theme of life: “Do you believe in God?” The hitch-hiker’s response indicates to the questioner that he has touched a raw nerve....More Sunday, February 15, 2026 For the joy of the Father And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17 For the joy of the Father God found pleasure in the wonderful life of the Lord Jesus on earth. We hear Christ saying, “For I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Who, except Him, who is both God and perfect man in one person, could claim such a thing? Others might say, “I want to do what pleases God.” But only Christ could say, “I always do what pleases the Father.” Anyone uttering such words must either be the Son of God or a liar. This was clear to...More Saturday, February 14, 2026 The strange conductor You are the God who does wonders. Psalm 77:14 The strange conductor The preacher Spurgeon had been preaching in the vicinity of London. As he boarded the train home, he realised that his ticket was missing. A man sitting in the same compartment observed Spurgeon rummaging through his pockets and kindly said to him, “I hope you haven’t lost anything.” “Well, I can’t find my ticket anymore, and unfortunately I don’t have any money with me. But I have worked for my Master, so everything will be fine. He has helped me many times before, in big and small things.” His...More Friday, February 13, 2026 Letting go Is anything too hard for the LORD ? I waited patiently for the LORD ; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. Genesis 18:14; Psalm 40:1 Letting go Julian has just learned to tie his shoes. Today, his little fingers just can’t manage the knots from the day before. His sister advises him, “Go to Mum!” Julian goes to his mother and shows her the tangled shoelaces. However, he doesn’t let go of the shoe, even though his mother urges him to. Instead, the little boy pulls so hard on it that the knots tighten even more. His mother lets him continue, thinking, “He...More Thursday, February 12, 2026 A Frenchman through shed blood Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12 A Frenchman through shed blood A soldier of the French Foreign Legion can acquire French citizenship after three years of service. But if he is wounded in the course of or on the occasion of a mission, it can be awarded to him earlier. He then becomes a son of France – not because, like a Frenchman, he “received” French blood through his birth, so to speak, but through his own shed blood. Likewise, one becomes a Christian...More

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Lot lived with his family in Sodom... Remember Lot’s wife. Luke 17:32 Lot lived with his family in Sodom. The people living there were wicked and terrible sinners. Therefore, God brought His judgment upon that city. However, before that, God sent two angels to Lot to lead him out of Sodom. They urgently instructed him, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain” (Genesis 19:17). So Lot, with his wife and two daughters, left the place of God’s judgment. But his wife turned around on the way and looked back at the city. She became a pillar of salt. Because she stopped halfway, she was lost....More Monday, February 9, 2026 Lord Jesus, You’re the One whose hand... He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Luke 24:50 Lord Jesus, You’re the One whose hand Of blessing is outstretched. While I am in this foreign land It cares and it protects. You help me in my times of need, Sustaining with Your Word. Throughout the present time You lead— My faithful Lord and God. There’s nothing that escapes Your sight, Your vision’s always true. You keep and shelter in Your might And stand beside me too. You’ve promised with me to abide, My sorrows You...More Sunday, February 8, 2026 The thirst of the Saviour After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst! John 19:28 The thirst of the Saviour The Lord Jesus suffered agonising physical thirst while hanging on the cross. In Psalm 22:15, He expressed it as, “My tongue clings to My jaws”. He must have been very thirsty during the hours on the cross. Yet, He declared only after the three hours of darkness were over and everything was finished: “I thirst!” The motive for this statement was not primarily the Saviour’s unbearable thirst but His intention to fulfil the...More Saturday, February 7, 2026 Help for sinners But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds. Luke 10:33–34 Help for sinners The story of the Good Samaritan shows how Jesus Christ desires to help people whose lives are ruined by injustice and self-will. The Samaritan encountered the robbed man on his journey, wounded and half-dead by the roadside. – The Son of God became man about 2,000 years ago and came to us. He made this “journey” from heaven to earth to help us. After His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ returned to...More Friday, February 6, 2026 “I have no one” (2) – Healing Jesus said to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. John 5:8–9 “I have no one” (2) – Healing After a man who had been ill for 38 years admitted his hopeless condition, Jesus healed him. Let’s consider the exact wording used by the Son of God in this miraculous healing: “Rise” – Are you perhaps feeling down inside at the moment? Do you lack the strength and courage to live? Then this word of the Lord Jesus applies to you personally. The Lord Jesus Christ – and only He – can give you the...More Thursday, February 5, 2026 “I have no one” (1) – Compassion When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, Do you want to be made well? The sick man answered Him, Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me. John 5:6–7 “I have no one” (1) – Compassion The pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem had two reservoirs and was about the size of a football field. On each of the four sides of the pool was a colonnade. A fifth one was above the six-metre-wide dividing wall between the reservoirs. “In these lay a...More Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Blessing and protection You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14 Blessing and protection When the incarnate Son of God lived on earth, He was the light of the world. He perfectly revealed who God is. However, people hated this light because it exposed their evil deeds. That’s why they crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. After His death and resurrection, He left the world and returned to heaven. Now it is the task of His disciples to spread divine light among people. He tells them, “You are the light of the world.” The idea is that in our daily lives we display who God is. People should get to know His...More Tuesday, February 3, 2026 A Christian had received permission to... Return to the L??? your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Hosea 14:2 A Christian had received permission to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a prison hall. As he walked down the aisle toward the platform, he could clearly sense the sceptical attitude of most present. Suddenly, the thought struck him: The introductory words I prepared are entirely unsuitable for this audience! In a quick prayer, he asked God to show him how he should begin now. As he attempted to climb the few steps to the platform, he stumbled and fell. Laughter filled the hall. The preacher got up,...More Monday, February 2, 2026 Why hope? Therefore, I have hope. Lamentations 3:21 Why hope? The prophet Jeremiah had to witness the way the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem ignored his message. They refused to repent and turn to God. Therefore, the L??? gave them into the hands of the Chaldeans, who conquered Jerusalem and deported the people to Babylon. They also destroyed the magnificent temple built by Solomon. In this desolate situation, Jeremiah didn’t despair. Instead, he said to himself, “Therefore I have hope.” He possessed a hope that strengthened him in the midst of adversity and kept him upright inwardly....More Sunday, February 1, 2026 The name Jesus She will bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 The name Jesus Jesus means “The L??? is Salvation”. With this name, the Son of God came into the world as a man. It is the name of our Saviour. Every person who believes in Him and is saved rejoices when they hear this name. Does it not awaken our love for Him, the one who has saved us? This name also stood above His cross, where unbelieving people had taken Him in their hatred. The inscription of His accusation read: “This is Jesus the King of the Jews”...More Saturday, January 31, 2026 Biblical terms Do you understand what you are reading? How can I, unless someone guides me? Acts 8:30-31 Biblical terms Today, let’s attempt to explain some terms that appear frequently in this calendar: o Sin: This includes every impure thought, every evil word and every wrong deed. When we sin, we do what pleases us and disregard God’s claims on us. o Recognition of sin: The Word of God activates our conscience and makes us aware of the wrong we have done. We recognise that we are guilty before God. o Repentance: This refers to a change of mind. Instead of justifying...More Friday, January 30, 2026 More generous than intended Before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 More generous than intended In the spring of 1875, Hudson Taylor, a missionary in China, stood on the platform of the Brighton train station. He was waiting for the train to London when he was approached by Count Bobrinsky, a Russian nobleman. The count had recently heard Taylor preach and offered to travel with him. “But I travel third class,” said the China missionary. “My ticket allows me to do the same,” replied Bobrinsky. As the mismatched pair sat in the...More Thursday, January 29, 2026 A breathtaking tower Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God! Job 37:14 A breathtaking tower A millionaire summons a capable architect and says, “You must design a tower with a diameter of 4 metres for me.” The architect nods obligingly. The millionaire continues, “This tower shall have stairs and corridors, water pipes, and elevators installed. The walls must be only half a metre thick, and the height of the tower shall be 1,500 meters. Furthermore, the tower must be able to bend in all directions and house a chemical factory.” – The architect doesn’t even hear the last words as he has already...More Wednesday, January 28, 2026 The reading experience Whoever reads, let him understand. Do you understand what you are reading? Matthew 24:15; Acts 8:30 The reading experience It’s great that you’ve opened this calendar! Maybe you read it regularly, or perhaps you picked it up today more “by chance”. You might find yourself in a similar situation to the royal official from Ethiopia, as reported in Acts chapter 8. He had come from afar to visit Jerusalem, the centre of the Jewish religion, in order to worship. Now he was on his way back, reading with great interest in the book of the prophet Isaiah, which he had probably...More Tuesday, January 27, 2026 By the Master’s hand ... until Christ is formed in you. Galatians 4:19 By the Master’s hand In 16th-century Florence, a group of artists contemplated a huge block of beautiful marble. It was over 4 metres high, but unfortunately an unskilled sculptor had roughly defaced it in one place. “You can’t make anything out of that any more,” thought the artists. But one morning, a young man erected a fence around the abandoned block. From then on, for several years, the sound of a chisel shaping the stone could be heard. When the fence disappeared, the Florentines were amazed: They saw a beautiful statue of...More Monday, January 26, 2026 Are astronauts heroes? When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? Psalm 8:3–4 Are astronauts heroes? Astronauts are particularly carefully selected individuals who have undergone countless tests and very thorough training. In space, they often have to manage very critical situations, but as compensation they also get to see and experience overwhelming things. Does that make them heroes? American astronaut James Irwin describes in his autobiography how he flew to the...More Sunday, January 25, 2026 We don’t know exactly where the place... And they brought him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Mark 15:22 We don’t know exactly where the place called Golgotha, also known as Calvary, was. The Bible only tells us that this location was outside Jerusalem but near the city, where many people passed by (John 19:17–20). However, what happened at the place called Golgotha moves our hearts: o There, people nailed the Son of God to a cross, lifting Him up from the earth. They rejected Him even though He had done them only good and brought them grace. Thus, the wickedness of the human heart reached a sad...More Saturday, January 24, 2026 Being gentle Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5 Being gentle When joy in the Lord fills our hearts, we can treat our fellow human beings with gentleness and forbearance. We delight in the fact that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, Shepherd, Lord, Advocate and High Priest. Therefore, we can relinquish our supposed rights and set aside our own desires. On the other hand, when we pursue earthly things and focus on our own interests, it becomes challenging for us to be gentle and yielding. At that point, we show little of the mindset of our Lord, who gave us a...More Friday, January 23, 2026 We’ve got it better! I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains. Acts 26:29 We’ve got it better! A soldier taunted his comrade, who was a devout Christian. Mockingly, he said, “The foolish thing about you Christians is that you believe you are better than the rest of us.” “We aren’t better,” replied his comrade calmly, “we’ve just got it better.” How true! The person who has been reconciled with God through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ does indeed have it better than...More Thursday, January 22, 2026 Turning to God Then Cain went out from the presence of the L??? and dwelt in the land of Nod. Genesis 4:16 Turning to God After Cain had killed his brother Abel out of hatred, God confronted him: “What have you done?” (Genesis 4:10). God condemned the wicked act and explained the punishment for it. However, Cain rebelled against God and turned his back on Him. He went away to lead a godless life from then on. Since then, many people have gone down this path. They have done evil and wrong, but they are not willing to acknowledge their wrongdoing. Instead of recognising God’s judgment on their...More Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Shade over the right hand The L??? is your keeper; the L??? is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5 Shade over the right hand The composer of Psalm 121 knew and could say, “My help comes from the L???, who made heaven and earth.” It should always be clear to us as well that we depend on God’s help in our life of faith. The psalmist goes on to say, “The L??? is your keeper”. Sometimes, we are quite self-confident, thinking we can take care of ourselves. However this attitude is dangerous. It quickly goes wrong when, as believers, we are self-assured and do not let God guard us. For this...More Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Saying “No” If sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 1:10 Saying “No” As a Christian, you will repeatedly find yourself in situations where you need to take a stand. Perhaps your classmates or colleagues invite you to a party. It might also be that they want to involve you in a political or cultural activity. You might be asked to do something wrong at school or at work. In those moments, you are at risk of aligning yourself with the world or even sinning. You can only be preserved from this by saying no. This is certainly not easy because you don’t want to offend anyone or lose face...More Monday, January 19, 2026 Erased I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25 Erased “Mom,” Finn says to his mother, “I don’t understand what happens to all the sins that God forgives. Are they just somewhere for a time and will suddenly reappear one day?” “Well, Finn, what happened to all the figures you drew on your slate in the playroom yesterday?” his mother asks in return. “They are gone. I wiped them off with the sponge.” – “Where did they go?” – “Nowhere, they are erased; they are...More Sunday, January 18, 2026 The reproaches of those who reproach You... Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. Psalm 69:9 In today’s verse, we prophetically hear the Lord Jesus speaking as a man to His God. “Zeal for Your house has eaten me up.” Christ energetically advocated for God’s cause on earth. Twice He cleansed the temple which the Jews had turned into a marketplace, even a den of robbers (John 2:14–17; Mark 11:15–17). It was His heartfelt desire that everything in the house of the L??? was consistent with divine holiness. Therefore, He fervently took action against anything that...More Saturday, January 17, 2026 God gave me a future again For You are my hope, O L??? God. Psalm 71:5 God gave me a future again The memories of my childhood are very contradictory: my mother cared lovingly for us; my father gradually lost control of his life and our family due to his alcohol consumption. I still see myself as a child walking down the sidewalk, staring at my feet – full of fear in going home. Why did this happen to me? No one cared about my questions. At the age of 15, I moved to live with my relatives in Spain. There I grew up without ever gaining a sense of right and wrong. My only points of reference were my mother, who...More Friday, January 16, 2026 Prayer answered – the wall For I, says the L???, will be a wall of fire all around her. Zechariah 2:5 Prayer answered – the wall It is winter in Russia. Fiercely, the snowstorm shakes the shutters. Barely anyone dares to venture out onto the street. But this is not just because of the icy cold. Marauding Cossacks roam the land! They raid isolated villages setting fire to the houses. There is no escape! Little Nelja lives with her grandmother in a cottage on the edge of the village. Again and again, she peers into the evening twilight. “Will the Cossacks come to us too?” she asks anxiously. “I hope not,” replies...More Thursday, January 15, 2026 No creation without a creator He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number. Job 9:10 No creation without a creator Anyone seeking evidence of the Creator in the creation will find countless signs therein. And the more modern science explores the universe, the more evident it becomes that there must be a Creator. Let’s take, for comparison, a spacecraft. Who would imagine that such a vehicle could ascend into orbit, surround our planet, and land back at the right place at the right time without the genius of mathematicians, engineers and computer scientists? So what can we say in light of the...More Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Grace For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Titus 2:11 Grace Through four questions, let’s reflect on the grace of God as presented in today’s verse: 1. What is grace? It originates from God and is undeserved. No one can earn His grace; no one is entitled to it. When God turns to mankind with kindness, all we can do is say thank you to Him. 2. How does God’s grace manifest itself? It appeared in the person of the Lord Jesus. He became a man, lived on earth, died on the cross, and triumphantly rose again. All of this is encompassed...More Tuesday, January 13, 2026 I will heal I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him and restore comforts to him. Isaiah 57:18 I will heal In today’s Bible passage, God declares that He will come to the aid of believers from the people of Israel during the future time of tribulation that will come upon the world. What He assures them of we can also claim for ourselves in a spiritual sense: 1. I will heal. As believers, we can become spiritually ill when we voluntarily and unnecessarily engage with what the world offers. Then our appetite for the Word of God decreases, and we suffer from spiritual...More Monday, January 12, 2026 God’s act of love for His enemies For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10 God’s act of love for His enemies During the American War of Independence, the preacher Peter Miller lived in Pennsylvania. He was respected by many, but one neighbour hated him and caused him a lot of harm. One day, this neighbour was arrested and sentenced to death for treason. Miller immediately went to General Washington, the future President of the USA, and passionately pleaded for the condemned man’s life. However,...More Sunday, January 11, 2026 Left alone I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Psalm 69:20 Left alone When the Lord Jesus was arrested, sentenced to death and crucified, no one stood by Him. No one came to His aid; everyone abandoned Him. He deeply felt this, as prophetically expressed in today’s verse. On the night He was betrayed, He had called the eleven disciples “my friends” (John 15:14–15). What should one expect from a friend in a time of need? Wouldn’t you hope that he would stand by you? Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother...More Saturday, January 10, 2026 Where is He? Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? Matthew 2:2 Where is He? This is the question posed by the wise men, the oriental stargazers from the East. They have seen the star of the newborn King of the Jews in the east and have set out to pay Him homage. Now they stand in the capital city of Jerusalem and ask, “Where is He?” They don’t ask, “Is there perhaps a newborn King of the Jews here?” No, they know He exists, for they have seen His star. They just don’t know where to find Him. That is why they enquire and do not hesitate to admit their ignorance, for they really...More Friday, January 9, 2026 The sheep And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger. John 10:4–5 The sheep Once, a tourist in the Middle East stopped at a well where shepherds were watering their sheep. “Three herds,” he recounted, “were mingling there, belonging to three shepherds. The animals wanted to go to the stone water troughs. When I saw the sheep running around in confusion, I wondered how each shepherd would recognise his animals. But when the animals finished drinking, one of the shepherds took his staff and...More Thursday, January 8, 2026 The best look into the past The desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead … Isaiah 26:8; 2 Timothy 2:8 The best look into the past Most of the significant events of history now live only in old books or in the ruins of ancient monuments. The political map of the world is constantly subject to change. The great conquests of past centuries typically did not establish permanent boundaries. The same holds true for politics and science. Great ideological shifts come and go, and some hypotheses and theories...More Wednesday, January 7, 2026 The call of our Lord You follow Me. John 21:22 The call of our Lord When we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as our personal Saviour, He simultaneously called us to follow Him. To be His disciple, no maturity or probation is required. No, we are capable of following Him immediately after our conversion. However, the questions arise: Do we respond to the call of our Saviour with our lives? Are we willing to surrender the leadership of our lives to Him and stand on His side? It may be that we have been saved for a while but have hesitated to follow this call of the Lord Jesus. Why,...More Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Chance or a brilliant plan? In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 Chance or a brilliant plan? Our Earth fits perfectly into our solar system. The distance to the Sun is just right for human existence. There is enough water to sustain life, and the Earth has an atmosphere that provides us with oxygen to breathe. Is this all a result of chance? Did everything happen spontaneously? Can that really be the case? No! The living God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He made life on our planet possible and He created human beings. This can be read in the book of Genesis, at the...More Monday, January 5, 2026 Two promises for the future Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the L??? forever. Psalm 23:6 Two promises for the future We stand at the beginning of a new year, uncertain about what the coming weeks or months may hold. The future is not in our hands, but all of us who are believers in Christ have two firm assurances regarding the future: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” This promise is for our earthly life. Every day, we are accompanied by God’s goodness. We continually experience His kind care, receiving...More Sunday, January 4, 2026 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (221) Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:23–25 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (221) Peter has learned that he would have to suffer the...More Saturday, January 3, 2026 A wonder from the beginning For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. ... My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. Psalm 139:13, 15–16 A wonder from the beginning King David describes here the beginning of his life, the miracle of conception, as well as his growing in his mother’s womb. He says, “I was made”, and, “Your eyes saw my substance”. At this early stage, he was already a person – albeit a very small one. Today, it is known that 18 days...More Friday, January 2, 2026 If the Emir only knew… Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1 If the Emir only knew… Karim serves an Arabian Emir. This Emir owns a large park with exotic birds. Among them is a rare species of duck that the Emir particularly likes. One day, Karim sees something emerging from the bushes. Reflexively, he grabs his sling, shoots … and kills the Emir’s duck! Horrified, he buries the bird, believing no one saw him. Soon, the duck is missed. The Emir becomes terribly angry and orders a search for it – but in vain. Shortly after, the cook asks Karim to fetch water....More Thursday, January 1, 2026 New beginning This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2 New beginning This New Year has begun. And our Bible verse also speaks of a new year, indeed of an entirely new era that God ordained. What radical event could have brought this about? In this verse, God is making a fresh start with the Israelites. In Egypt, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have had to endure forced labour for many years. But now God wants to free them and lead them to the promised land of Canaan. From oppression to freedom; from fear to...More

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