In, but not of this world (2)

In my previous blog post, I mentioned the prayer request of Jesus: I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one (John 17:15).

It is God's will that his disciples/followers are in this world, but at the same time... not belong to it (John 17:16). I hope you took the time to read John 17:10-20 a few times. It is such an interesting prayer.

Maybe you are thinking 'Well, I never belonged to the world. I was born in a Christian family, and I've always been to church.' Whether we belong (or not belong) to the world has nothing to do with the way we grew up but everything with God's calling.

In John 15:18-19 Jesus told His disciples: If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Jesus called the disciples out of the world into His Kingdom and He is still calling people today. 👉As a matter of fact, Jesus has chosen all of mankind to come out of this wicked world and enter His Kingdom. All we have to do is say yes to Him and to His plan of salvation.

Is it that simple, Marja? Yes, it is. Let's take a look at Galatians 1:4-5 where it is written, Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

This is the rescue plan! It is possible to live in this world (as long as we're breathing) but at the same time belong to the Kingdom of God. Yeah, with our feet on the ground and our head in the clouds, so to speak 😁

In, but not of this world (1)

We live in a strange world, a world full of opposites... beautiful and heart-wrenching, breathtaking and cringing, wonderful and cruel. We love this place, but we hate what is going on. We long for heaven and yet we want to stay here.

In this new blog series, I want to stop and pause and take a closer look at this awesome, crazy, amazing, rotten, wicked, fantastic world Jesus tells us to go into...  in order to share the good news!

It might be opposed to popular Christian thinking, but Jesus actually prayed to God the Father and asked Him not to take us out of this world. We are not supposed to live on a spiritual island, safe within our little Christian circles. It is His will that we are in this world, but not without protection.

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one (John 17:15).

Don't take 'm out of this world, Jesus prayed, because the world needs to see My disciples. Just make sure You keep them safe, Father. Just think about that, we are supposed to be in this world. However, we do not belong to it. Jesus made that very clear when He prayed: They do not belong to this world any more than I do (John 17:16).

👉Please, read John 17:10-20 a few times (preferably in different Bible translations) and let that precious prayer really speak to you. It is a prayer for all of us, for today.

If we are in this world, but not of this world, how then shall we live? How do we keep ourselves from being polluted by worldly thinking, talking, and habits? A friend of this world is an enemy of God, the Bible says.

I hope you will join me in this new blog series! Feel free to share your thoughts and comments.

Elections and the importance of taking a stand

With mid-term elections coming up in the USA and general elections in many other countries, I was reflecting on the importance of taking a stand for Biblical values and principles, if you are a Christian... or if you find yourself in agreement with Biblical values and morals.

In the Netherlands, we have 30+ political parties to choose from on which to cast your vote. Not an easy choice and much different from the system in the USA. 

Not everyone uses the right the vote, but the ones that do often vote as has been their custom for years. I know many people simply vote for the party their parents and grandparents used to vote for. Kind of out of tradition.

👉But the world has changed.

Maybe the party you always vote for no longer stands up for the values and principles it used to fight for, such as traditional family and marriage values, pro-life and pro-Israel issues, and let's not forget work and social ethics.

If there was ever a time to re-evaluate our voting behavior and choices, it is now! When we vote, we speak up. We unite in one voice, not ashamed of the very things we want to see (re)established in our countries.

I am wondering... have you changed your voting pattern lately?

Origin, existence, intention...

Life's main questions are being answered in the Word of God; that is... if one decides to take time to read the ancient words of wisdom and prophecy.

Who am I?  Where do I come from and where am I going? What is my purpose here on earth? Just a few questions that have intrigued generations upon generations. I read somewhere that many people today struggle with existential questions.

The other day I came across a scripture that I had to read at least three or four times. Wow, so much truth and revelation in one verse! I am talking about Romans 11:36,

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

There you have it, three in one.

• Origin: everything comes from Him. It reminds me of John 1:3 where it is written about Jesus, God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. Our very origin is with God, how awesome is that?!
• Existence: everything exists by His power. That reminds me of Colossians 1:17 where it is written about Jesus, He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. If it wasn't for His power, everything would have fallen apart a long time ago!
• Intention: everything is intended for His glory. And that reminds me of 1 Corinthians 8:6 where it is written, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. Our lives are no coincidence, not random, and not to be lived without purpose. We live for God through Jesus and that brings great joy and fulfillment.

Well, I don't know about you, but I am super encouraged by the richness of this verse.