Devotions for each day

Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!
Matthew 23, 37

Parents like to have all their children around them. If one is not there, they are restless. This is the normal love and concern of mothers and fathers. But when the children are grown, they should be released into the wild. Some mothers “tie” their children and do not want to let them go; and some young men stay with mom because the food is so good. But that is unhealthy! These young men are lazy! And many girls can not found a normal family because they do not separate from their parents. The Word of God says: A man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and they will found their own family.
God is a good father. He educates his children to independence and freedom. He likes to be with them and takes them under his wings to protect them. But He doesn’t tie and gag His children. It is a happy and free together! And the beautiful thing is, when all the kids are there and celebrate happily together; – Then the heavenly father is there among them and pleased with them!
God calls His children. But many do not want. They resist the call of God. They make His heralds bad, make their life difficult or even pursue it. Or they discuss everything to death: “Well, should God really be there? Who knows! – Should God be interested in me? I see things differently. … “. Everything is put into perspective and discussed to death, so no one has to decide, so no one needs to say a clear yes or no. But Jesus sees her heart and says clearly: You do not want to. I would like to put them into my arms so much, sheltered under my wings, but they do not want.
But we want! We want to gather around Jesus, enjoy the security under His wings, and together celebrate the Lord! He is very kind to His children!

Thank You, Jesus, for loving Your kids! You gather them under Your strong wings and give security, peace and joy. You are a wonderful Lord who loves His children genuinely. Yes Lord, I belong to You and want to find safety, security and joy under Your wings. I want to be with You and stay with You!

Lord, our Lord, how majestic
is your name throughout the earth!
You made your glory higher than heaven!
From the mouths of nursing babies
you have laid a strong foundation
because of your foes,
in order to stop vengeful enemies.
When I look up at your skies,
at what your fingers made—
the moon and the stars
that you set firmly in place—
what are human beings
that you think about them;
what are human beings
that you pay attention to them?
You’ve made them only slightly less than divine,
crowning them with glory and grandeur.
You’ve let them rule over your handiwork,
putting everything under their feet—
all sheep and all cattle,
the wild animals too,
the birds in the sky,
the fish of the ocean,
everything that travels the pathways of the sea.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth!
Psalms 8

How good has God planned the human being and equipped him with so many skills! He really reigns over the earth. But many people do not correspond to the image of God. There are so many ruthless egoists in business and politics, so much murder and manslaughter with words and deeds. No, they are not the people who God has imagined! Sin has distorted the image of God in an image of evil. And the return to the real mission can just come, when we let God be Lord again. Then the earth really will be a ‘heavenly’ place again!
God has said YES to us humans. He remains in his opinion, even though so much is going wrong. He never abandons us. He is waiting for us! God’s YES to a human is of the utmost importance for him. So many are wondering, where their place in life is. Many suffer from the meaninglessness, emptiness and loneliness. Many are oppressed by their own badness. Some feel rejected everywhere and find no self-confidence. Many create their own little world in which they feel comfortable and at home. Some feel so worthless that they are on the path of self-destruction. Somehow the human being is hovering in a vacuum; he has lost touch with something bigger.
God is here! And he is the only one who can heal the human heart from false, inferior self-reference. Only He can heal, where rejection has torn deep wounds. Only He can lead you on the right track. ONLY HE!!!

Thank You, Jesus, You are THE Savior! You lead me to the right way, You have prepared for me and for which You have created me. In You my heart finds healing and satisfaction. Your YES to me is the reason for my hope. How good that You exist!

But no one says, “Where is God my maker;
who gives songs in the night.”
Iob 35, 10

Praise pulls up ! All the great people in the kingdom of God had this realization. When Israel once had to fight against a superior force, they placed the singers and musicians right in the front. They praised God and the enemy destroyed himself. When Paul and Barnabas were in prison, they began to praise God. Thereupon the earth shook, their chains fell off and the doors broke up. Georg Müller, founder of orphanages in England (when there was no youth welfare office, no social security office and no other orphanages) knew these ” tactics “. If they had nothing more to eat and the breakfast threatens to be canceled, he bent his knees and praised God that He never let the children starve. And somehow they really got something to eat everytime. These children always had a meal! Even Mother Theresa in Calcutta knew of the worship. Constantly 50 or more sisters were in the chapel and praised God. So many wonderful things happened by Mother Theresa. There is a man who has an alarm clock in his pocket, ringing every 10 minutes, which constantly reminds him to praise God. Maybe it sounds a little weird, but God is doing great things by him. The pastor of the largest church in the world in Seoul, Korea, has a lot to do. But every day he prays many hours because he knows, otherwise he will not make it.
Yes, if we choose to always thank God for everything and if we constantly praise Him, He will help us and “give us songs in the night” and will show himself in our own lives! A businessman told me that he has become experienced over time and often felt a restlessness, when a contract somehow is not okay. Then he carefully checks the contract a second time and often discoveres some traps in small print. He thinks it is his own ability. But I know, as he prays a lot and searches for community with Jesus, Jesus himself gives him this gift and saves him from mistakes and wrong decisions. It is not his own art, but the work of God! We have to keep an eye on where we see. If everything are only “coincidences”, we actually do not need God. If all these are our own abilities, then why do we need a helper and savior? We rather should look on our Lord and thank Him for everything, all the time! Then He also gives us “songs in the night” when everything is dark and we see do not see a way out. We will soon have a reason to thank Him! Because the Savior is there, where He is praised!

Thank You, Jesus, I have experienced so many good things with You! So I can thank You without end. You are so wonderful that I want to praise You without a break! Yes, You are my wonderful God and Savior!

I’m overjoyed at your word,
like someone who finds great treasure.
Psalms 119, 162

God’s personal word to us pleases us more as every rich prey! It is simply stunning when the Heavenly Father speaks to us. That brings joy to our heart!
This morning I will enter the kitchen, on the stove there is my “office” and I will say: “Good morning, Father! Here I am again with all my burdens and problems. Hopefully it’s not too much for You, always the same things. I hope it does not annoy You.” Thereupon He whispers into my thoughts: “Don’t worry, I am waiting for you. I enjoy having community with you.”
Then I understood what Jesus wanted to say: “When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. Your Heavenly Father knows what you need.” He really knows all my needs, because He is interested in every little thing in my life. Actually I don’t need to moan and complain, begging Him for help. He knows it all and holds everything in His hands. He, my Father, will never let me down! And I realized I could enter another dimension of prayer; – The little things are quickly cleared up. His words to me make my heart beat faster and send out joy. I began to praise Him and to sing little songs for Him.
Yes, then life becomes more fun! Look away from the “harassment and odds and ends” and turn your eyes upon Jesus! He wonderfully cares for me! His Word revives, pleases, makes free from all encumbrances, gives deep peace, encouragement, comforts, gives courage and hope….. where else could I make such a rich “booty”?
Songs of praise in mouth and heart, that is possible by the trust in our Heavenly Father. Praise makes you free from worries and burdens. Worship makes our heart grateful and where a grateful heart is, the Heavenly Father is near!

Thank You, Jesus, You have taken me all my burdens. Now I can praise You, and I am free! Give me more of Your spirit of worship, pleasure and gratitude! My life should be marked by Your heavenly joy! For You are my rock of salvation.

And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1, 6

God is a God of patience. Therefore He can constantly carry us, even if we do not care about Him for years. He namely has a goal for us, that we find our place in His heart. And for that He has time, ways and means.
Sometimes there are times full of doubt: Does God love me? Am I ever a child of God? Do I really believe or is that all just imagination? Did he forget me because of my sin? – There are so many nagging, agonizing questions!
And He is above such things. He still holds everything in His mighty hand. And when He began His work in you and has started to draw you to himself, then He will also complete His work and you will find your place in the Lord.
Be glad if you doubt again and again! Because if you wouldn’t care for you and God, you certainly would have no doubts; – It wouldn’t interest you at all. He wants to put your faith on a stronger foundation, therefore He is testing you. Actually, it is impossible for a human to find the way to God. How are we small, limited and unholy people able to comprehend the eternal, holy and all-powerful God? God knows this and therefore He says: With human it is impossible, but with God everything is possible! He will make His word come true and He will bring you to the aim!
But if we are rebellious and stubborn, only discussing with God because we do not want to give up our old, comfortable life, God will simply ignore us. He then will wait until we truly seek Him, or until we forget Him entirely. Please, do not play with God!

Thank You Jesus, You’ve already started working in me. Now You will also bring it to an end! For me, everything looks so difficult, as a matter of fact impossible. But You are almighty and have a way for me. For Your great name’s sake You will take pity on me and completely capture me.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13, 13

The bible often refers to God, the Father, Jesus, the Messiah and the Holy Spirit. There are many questions about that! Nobody can fathom this trinity to the last detail, but we want to try to understand it better.
To whom should we pray? When I pray to Jesus, is the Father not “superfluous” or does he feel left out? No, the three are so closely connected that each is happy when the other is worshiped and honored. There certainly is no jealousy! You really are one heart and one soul. Everything what one thinks, the other perceives just the same. There are no secrets between them. There is such a deep bond and warm fellowship that the three really are one unity – inseparable.
When God created the human being, He made a man and a woman. Together, they are intended to reflect the image of God. But one alone is imperfect, unfinished. Only together they comply with the image of God. God has imagined marriage as the lowest form of humans being together, community and familiarity. And where two people grow together over the years, they really represent a unit. In heaven we will all together have such a deep familiarity that a marriage is superfluous. We will be one! Also in meetings one often feels this deep unity and familiarity with each other, although there are huge differences between individual people. But we realize how we are longing for a profound community!
The community of Trinity is even more intense and deeper, as we can imagine. That’s why the Bible can write: God is one!
The Father is our Creator who loves His children immeasurably. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer who has redeemed us and has paved the way to God. By His stripes we are healed and by His blood we are cleaned! The Holy Spirit is working with us today. He is the helper, the friend, the Comforter, the Reminder. He gives His gifts, where He may act. His fruits grow where God is worshiped.

Thank You, Father, You have ordered all things wonderful!! Amazed I stand before You and often do not know what to say. You’re so big, so powerful, so inscrutable! I just can adore You, with words or silent, when words alone are not enough. You are a wonderful God!

Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.
Matthew 6, 19ff

There are people to whom God entrusts a lot of money and wealth. But certainly not in order to consume it themselves. He has other plans! He doesn’t forget any benefit, not the least, we do another. This is how we can store up riches in heaven!
He says: You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward. (Matthew 10, 42)
Even such a trifle is not forgotten by God! Jesus saw an old woman throwing a few coins into the Temple treasury and He said: I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others. For the others offered their gifts from what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, gave all she had to live on. (Luke 21, 1ff)
Whether God forgets them and their victims? Quite certainly not !! He will richly bless them!
He said to the servant who had well managed and propagated the entrusted money that he now gets a great task. For he was faithful in the little things. ( comp. Matth. 25, 21)
Furthermore Jesus tells us that when we give something to a needy person, whe should not make a big show of it. When we really want to help a needy person then we are supposed to do it in such a way that even our closest friend will not know about it. Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. (Matth. 6, 1ff)
So there are notes in the whole Bible, how to deal with our money and wealth. Who reserves for itself, will get no reward. He also can not take it with when he goes on the eternal journey; – Others will consume it.
If the Heavenly Father sees how we deal with our money and blesses us, how much more will He bless it, when we ourselves give and entrust ourselves to Him! We ourselves, including our wealth, want to belong to God! This is what we want to do today:

I entrust myself to You, dear God, also my possessions, my wealth and my money shall be Yours. Please, come into my heart and take possession of it! You shall be my Lord and King.

They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up.
Psalms 1, 3

Yes, so are the people who feel joy about the teachings of the Lord and think of His words, by day and by night. He became the source of their lives and they firmly believe in the Creator. This human is not a piece of driftwood in the vast ocean that is drifting hither and thither. He is no chaff on the field, the the wind is playing with. He is not a victim of expression and fashion designers who want to determine how we think and what we wear. He stands firm, has his opinion and knows how he behaves pleasing to God. Yes, such a person that is deeply rooted in God is a blessing for us!
I also want to be like a tree, deeply rooted and close to the water! In the winter it is protection from the wind, in the summer it provides shade. Even from the distance you can see it and know there is water. In its branches birds are dwelling, building their nests and singing of joy. In the autumn it bears fruits, not too early and not too late, and everyone can pick it up and get strengthened. Such a tree is a blessing!
If we want to be such a tree, then we will move the words of God in our hearts. We will always be in conversation with Him; – On the tram, in school, falling asleep and waking up. Then the word of God is alive in us and shapes us. We are firmly rooted in Him, and He holds us.
He is the soil in which we are rooted. He is the water that gives us life. He is the sun that ripens our fruits. And He is our protector, who never abandons us.
Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. (From Psalm 1)

Thank You! With You Lord, I am firmly rooted. Your life water flushes through me and brings me back to life. It cleanses me from all. You are the rock on which I stand safely. Only with You I can fully develop my life and bring the fruit that You wish and for which You have appointed me. You put me to the place where I am. And You take care of the water of life. Thank You, You have thought of everything and brought all into a good order!

Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5, 37

A friend who lives in a country where the people are very polite to each other. An anecdote says it this way: If one says yes, he means perhaps and when he says perhaps, he means no, and if he says no, he is not from this country …
How good that God does not deal with us this way! His Yes to us is an eternal Yes! If He once said yes to you, forgave all your debt and adopted you as a child, you can do what you want: His yes remains yes. He is faithful, even when we sometimes are unfaithful.
We have to be exactly like God, a yes is a yes, a no is a no. Our children, friends, siblings and colleagues should be able to rely on us. Our decisions should be firm and our no to sin should be a firm resolve and our yes to Jesus an irrevocable and consistent Yes. We do not want to fluctuate on both sides, but are focused and determined and live in our lives. This is easier for ourselves and we can straight go our way.
Let us not be pressured by others to a hasty Yes, but weigh well where we say yes. Then there is no disappointments afterwards. We also do not want to be bound by a vow or oath; a yes or no will do it.

Thank You, Father, You say yes to me! I am Your child and You are my God. You are loyal and You never regret Your vote. You search and care for me when I am unfaithful, until You got me back into Your flock. Thank You, Father, for Your loyalty! Thank You that I can rely on Your word! Thank You that You never forget or leave me! Thank You, on You I can rely on!!

… And they will see the Human One coming in the heavenly clouds with power and great splendor.
Matthew 24, 30

How will it be in the last days? When Jesus comes again, is it possible that I miss it? Should I have fear of this terrible time of persecution, hardship, disease, plagues, wars, catastrophes? There are so many questions over the last few days!
Jesus answers the most important questions. He says: With me you are safe. I am the Lord in heaven and on earth. I always have the last word. Even in wretchedness I am with you and hold your hand. I will not forget you!
No, we do not need to be feared! He, the Lord, the almighty king is with us. If the need is at its worst, then He will come, visible to all in the clouds of heaven. Then He sends His angels to collect all His children from one end of the earth to the other and bring them to Him. Do not worry, no one will be forget!
We believe in Jesus Christ. He is the Lord of lords. He is the king of kings. And at the same time He is the loving, concerned friend of those who worship Him. The more we trust Him, the more we remember: He does what He promises. He is doing miracles for His beloved children. He is the one who keeps us firmly in the hand. Even in the darkest night and in the greatest misery we can trust our Savior – He is still Lord. Even if the situation seems hopeless, He yet knows a way out and saves His people.

Lord Jesus, how well that we don’t need to have fear! How good that You’re so close to us and keep us! Today I give You my life again, because You alone are the King of kings. You choose and reign. You mean well with me!