Those on High

What is your attitude towards your village, towards your city, and to your country, even to the world as a whole? Do you think and talk negatively about them, complaining about the things that go wrong? Many do not care at all or even wish negative things, just taking in selfishness as much as they can get or creating conflicts that others have to solve. Rather than cursing, the bible encourages us to bless the villages, cities and countries, to seek their welfare and to pray to the Lord on their behalf, Jeremiah 29 [7] reminds you to seek the prosperity of the city where you stay. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper. Pray for peace in the place of your dwelling and work hard to make it prosperous. The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be.  So even if we do not like many of the circumstances, let's not only complain, curse and talk negatively, rather let's intercede in prayer for the cities and countries, for example praying for good decisions by those in authority. And where possible one or the other suggestion or initiative for improvement can be made. Jesus even refined that and said about his followers: you are the salt of the earth, Matthew 5 [13]. Think about the positive effects that salt has, e.g. in food: to preserve and to make it tasty and nice. We are called to be the salt of the earth, your village, your city, your country by the grace of the Lord.

Are you poor or rich? It always depends on the point of comparison, usually there is always someone else more rich on planet earth, but also someone poorer. The bible does not promise us riches of money nor abundance of physical possessions. In fact by contrast, the word of God prepares us that there might be times of scarcity and shortages. Yet even in and through times of hardship, we can rely on the Lord and we can know that he has a good longterm plan through this life towards eternity, so even when being poor and facing scarcity, we can be joyful and give spiritual riches to others. The apostles report in 2. Corinthians 6 [4, 10] that in everything they show being God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties and that although they are poor, yet they give spiritual riches to others.  And since we have everything that we really need, so we can sing aloud to God our strength as the psalms encourage us, for example Psalm 81 [1 - 3 + 6 - 10]. The heavenly Father has not only rescued his people by that time, he also offers salvation to everyone today, everyone of every background is invited to humbly turn to him in prayer and to participate in his victory. We might be poor and go through difficult times, but God offers heavenly riches, and we can forward that good news to others, to family, friends, colleagues and many more, making them rich in possessions that last in eternity, as the apostles did. Let's pray: Lord, we thank you for your gift of salvation, even as we go through times of shortages and scarcity, facing hardships of many kinds, yet you have a good long term plan for everyone of us individually. Thank you for your offer of forgiveness and grace. Show us to whom we shall forward your good news, so that we all may live to your honor, to your glory and to your praise. Amen.

Who are "those on high"? They are the most powerful and influential elites, the rulers and leaders. It is amazing how much power and influence some people can exercise, some obvious, others not so obvious. Those on high could also be the most intelligent, or those who think they are the smartest, the haughty and those who look down on others. But no matter how high, even if someone went up into space, still God is the ultimate judge, higher than any person can ever be. The wisdom, power and influence of the almighty God is still bigger than of any human, so it is good that we learn from him, not the other way, noone can teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest as rhetorically asked in Job 21 [22] Who can tell God what to do? He judges powerful rulers, even those in high places. So there is no need for us to aim at reaching the top. Rather what counts is the love of the merciful Lord which we are called to pass on to others. Also Romans 12 [16] reminds us to live in harmony with one another, not to be haughty. And that counts. Whether we are among the successful and influential elites on high, or whether we are deep down in trouble or loneliness.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life's challenges, yearning for a sense of peace that seems just out of reach? The word of God offers profound wisdom on finding and maintaining peace, even in the midst of turmoil. In Haggai 2 [9b], God makes a powerful promise of his presence and peace. This divine peace finds its fullest expression in Christ. In Colossians 3 [15], Paul exhorts to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. The peace of Christ is not just a feeling, but a governing principle that should direct your thoughts, decisions and actions. So true peace comes from the relationship with God and is realized through relying on Christ who has won eternal salvation on the cross for all who humbly trust in him. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but on your relationship with God. It is a peace that can reign in your heart even when the world around you is in chaos. In your daily life, you can cultivate this peace by prioritizing your relationship with God, practicing gratitude and allowing Christ's teachings to guide your interactions with others. Remember, you are called to be a peacemaker, reflecting God's peace to those around you. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and can never be safe." This reminds us that embracing God's peace often requires stepping out in faith, trusting God even when the path seems uncertain. Let's pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the peace you offer through Christ already here and once fulfilled in eternity. Help me to let this peace rule in my heart, guiding my thoughts and actions. May I be an instrument of your peace in this world, trusting you even in uncertain times. To you be praise and glory and honor forever. Amen.

Have you noticed the difference between people with bright shining eyes, a face expressing hope and confidence, and those with dark eyes of bitterness, whose mind is filled with hatred, often even hatred towards their own family and colleagues, they live lives filled with selfishness, greed and seek priorities in life that are other than God, sometimes they even involve in occult practices. The bible tells us that the commands of the LORD are radiant, giving joy to the heart and light to the eyes. Psalm 19 [8] says that the precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  Lord, your Law is perfect, you revive the soul; your testimony is trustworthy, you make wise the simple. You give hope to those who rely on you, no matter of the circumstances of life here on earth. May your light of grace brighten our eyes, that we may go through life with hope and confidence towards your kingdom, may you show us where we shall help others so that they may get hope and confidence from your word as well.

Do words matter? Does it make a difference what we speak? Often the common opinion seems to undervalue words, and of course finally it is more relevant what a person does, rather what he speaks. For example Jesus explained to the disciples by asking who of the sons did the will of the father: the one who said "yes, I will do the task" but did not, or the one who first rejected to do but finally went out and accomplished the work? Ultimately the deeds are more relevant. But words are often also part of the deeds. God created the universe by speaking words. Jesus healed people by speaking words. And all of us either build up by using constructive words or we tear down by using destructive words.

Do you practice hospitality? The bible encourages us to do that: Romans 12 [13].  We are called to love the foreignes as we love ourselves: Leviticus 19 [34].

Have you ever felt weighed down by guilt or shame, wondering if there is any hope for a fresh start? The Bible offers a profound message of redemption that spans from the Old Testament to the New, revealing God's eternal plan for humanity. In Zechariah 3 we encounter a powerful prophetic vision and as we move to the New Testament, we find the fulfillment of this prophecy in first letter of John 2. Here, we see that Jesus Christ is the ultimate atonement, the perfect sacrifice that removes our iniquity not just for a day, but for eternity. The centuries till today reveal the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history. What was prophesied in Zechariah finds its complete realization in Christ. This truth offers immense hope and encouragement for your daily life. No matter what burdens you carry or mistakes you have made, God has provided a way for your sins to be removed and your relationship with Him to be restored. As Billy Graham once said, "God will not reject a repentant heart." This reminds us that God's forgiveness is always available to those who humbly turn to his mercy. You are invited to embrace this truth and live in the freedom and joy of God's grace. Let's pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your eternal plan of redemption. Help me to fully grasp the magnitude of your love and forgiveness. May I live each day in the light of your grace, sharing this good news with others. To you be praise and glory and honor forever. Amen.

When has been the last time that you benefited from others being strong and their strength helping you? Often we might even not be aware of it, but how wonderful it is, if for example parents in their strong years can help and guide young children, or vice versa once the parents get into the high age and the children might have grown strong and help. Or when you have to go through times of weakness, illnesses or depressions, and friends who are stronger by that time help by giving words of encouragement or practical help. It is an indicator of a healthy society. And the same principle is true in matters of faith: how wonderful it is if those who are strong help the weak.  Jesus encourages us to share the strength that God gives us with others. And already in centuries before that, Elijah prayed that God may answer so that the faith of the people may be strengthened.  Let's pray as well: O Lord, answer and strengthen me, so that I might strengthen others. Thank you for the strength and clarity that your word provides. When I go through times of weakness, illness and confusion, may you strengthen and guide me, so that I can strengthen and guide others. Thank you for the blessing that you provide for this life and for eternity, let me be a blessing to others according to your good plan. To you be praise and glory and honor forever. Amen.

What do you think of God? Is he only a remote God? Is he only a kind God? He is both, present in the most remote places filling the universe, but also close to each and every human soul. He is both, kind, but also holy. And in his kindness he wants to draw us away from evil behavior. By the time of the prophets, God repeatedly gave warnings to the people to turn away from their evil ways, else there is a charge to bring against them, for example in Hosea 4: There is no faithfulness or love in the land, and the people do not acknowledge me as God. They make promises and break them; they lie, murder, steal, and commit adultery. Crimes increase, and there is one murder after another.  And in the same way, God still invites us nowadays to turn from evil, else there is a charge to bring against us. Because no evil behavior can enter his eternal kingdom of holiness, joy and peace, so he invites us to turn away from all the evil, mean, selfish and ungodly patterns. Therefore, in his grace the holy Lord has established his commands and guidelines to help us navigate through this life. The heavenly Father offers forgiveness of all that happened in the past, and invites us to join the good ways laid ahead. Then there is no more charge to bring against us. Do you accept his invitation? Let's pray: Lord, you know all the ungodly behavior going on in the world. I admit that my heart, too, is filled with evil, leading to negative, thoughts, words and deeds. I do not trust in my own righteousness and rather rely on your mercy. Thank you that you offer forgiveness for all that lies behind, that you offer new beginnings, that there are no more charges to bring against us. May you send your Holy Spirit to guide us through this life according to your good will towards your eternal kingdom of joy and peace, where there will be no more evil at all anymore, no more crimes, no more revenge, no more hatred. Where there will be no more charges to bring. To you be praise any glory and honor forever. Amen.