Cheerful givers...

A life without money problems

This coming fall, the 4th book in the series about the Ten Commandments will be published. I have called it Grace of Giving and Tate Publishing is currently working on the cover. The book offers a New Testament view of the 8th Commandment. Not stealing is merely being obedient to the Law, cheerfully giving is fulfilling the Law! Now that all edits are final, I keep finding more scriptures about the subject of giving. In Proverbs 11:24-25 it says,

One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Another witholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

I love that, a new Testament principle in Old Testament times. Jesus teaches us in Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.

Giving is the key to a life without moneyproblems! I truly believe this. I can trust God to be faithful to His Word. That is a very encouraging thought, especially in times of economic uncertainty: if we keep giving we will always have enough!

I dare you to take His Word serious!

Who the Son sets free...

Once an Arafat Man

Looking for a good book this summer?

It doesn't happen very often that I recommend a book on my weblog. I have noticed that people like to put you in a box once they discover your reading list... you are what you read... well, not this time!
Once an Arafat man by Tass Saada is the true story of how a PLO sniper found a new life in the Jewish Messiah! I read this book in one sitting, I just couldn't stop. That is a miracle by itself, because I am usually reading several books at the same time and I find it hard to actually finish books; I am always eager to start a new one!

If you want to learn more about politics and religion in the Middle East, don't miss this book. It is a good read, it is exciting, very well written and it holds very personal thoughts on Islamic, Jewish and Christian thinking; all in one book! If we learn from each other, we will understand each other. One thing is very clear in this book, we ALL need the Messiah's love, whether Christian, Jewish or Moslim!

Faith Comes Before Understanding

We have to let go of our common way of thinking...

A few weeks ago we talked about faith in the biblestudy class we teach at our church in Holland. We looked at a whole bunch of scriptures together, but the one that stood out for me that evening was Hebrews 11:3,

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command...

By faith we understand! How we would love to turn that one around! Our human desire is to understand first, so we can believe! Nothing wrong with pure logic, but it is simply not the way it works in the spiritual realm, in God's Kingdom.

Understanding does not come from education or reasoning but from an act of trust: faith! This is such a huge key to gain wisdom! We have to let go of our common way of thinking and accept things in faith first, then our eyes will be opened and we will gain understanding. And once we have understanding we can start to study! I know that does NOT sound logical, but it is just the way it works with God.

The above mentioned scripture deals with Creation (as in contrast to evolution), a topic that has kept debaters, doubters and Darwinists busy for the longest time. Why? Because they want to understand first. That search is without end, because the Bible clearly teaches that faith goes before revelation. I have heard numerous testimonies of scolars, scientists and sceptics who spent their lifetime in search for understanding and finally gave up. At the very moment they gave up their struggle and accepted truth, understanding came!

Next time you read something in the Bible that keeps you struggling to understand, accept the word in faith, accept that the word is truth. And then pray to the Holy Spirit for understanding to come. I am not afraid to promise you that the light will turn on!