How to stay positive in a negative world

It's been a while, but back in the summer of 2022 I posted a series of videos on Youtube and Instagram entitled 'How to stay positive in a negative world'.  

Are we called to be positive amidst trouble and mayhem? Yes, I believe so. 👉We are called to be different, to shine when all is dark.

The Bible says it like this in Philippians 2:15: Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

We are called to be bright lights! It saddens me when Christians are negative and without hope. I talk with a lot of people who find it difficult to remain positive when many things seem to go wrong, whether it is the politics in their country, the economic situation, or the spiritual climate.

And yes, sometimes world events and traumatic happenings can get to our nerves; but let's go back to the Bible again and again and find encouragement.

Realizing how difficult it can be to remain hopeful, I taped 15 videos with practical tips you can start implementing today. They're just two minutes each and the messages will encourage you and lift you up. I don't have all the answers, but I realize we need to rise above our circumstances... all the time.

If you haven't seen the videos, here's the link and let me know what you think!

The value of Christian books

Some Christians are critical, quite critical I've noticed. Especially when it comes to judging other Christians who have some sort of ministry.

I come across critical comments about Christian authors, preachers, and musicians on social media quite often, which is pretty sad and tiring (let me know whether you agree or disagree).

👉If you don't like someone's preaching, writing, or singing... pick something else! Don't criticize the work of others, certainly not if you haven't produced anything yourself. I don't see why that is so difficult.

Personally, I 💗to listen to various teachers and preachers, and I love to read books written by believers. When I need encouragement, healing, faith, or empowerment in my own life, I read certain authors. Yes, the ones I know will lift me up and inspire me.

The other day I was contemplating the value of Christian books. We are so blessed to be able to choose from a wide variety of authors whose writing helps us in our own faith walk. I often forward books that have helped me to others. I write reviews on Goodreads and sometimes on this blog.

And yes, of course I get encouraged when I receive positive notes from people who have read my books. Whether we write, preach, pray, encourage, or make music, we minister to others. Not to everyone, but to a specific person or audience. If we would all do so, we would cover the earth with God's love.

If you are one of those who enjoys my writing, make sure to watch the promo video and the book trailer of my latest book First Love! THANKS 😀

Calling for revenge?

Love must be sincere, hate what is evil; cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).

Hate what is evil. Duh, who doesn't? Unless you're a satanist, maybe.

Of course, we hate what is evil. But the verse doesn't end there... cling to what is good.

'What is good?' you may ask, as we live in a world where there is plenty of confusion about biblical good and bad. The apostle Paul pretty much sums it up in verses 10-19 of that same chapter:

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. He goes on and on (very interesting and practical verses to read and do, by the way!) and then it comes... do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Hold on a minute here... we can't call for revenge? You gotta be kidding, right? 😕 Well, actually that's what it says. The chapter ends with verse 21:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Easy? Nope. Possible? Yes, otherwise the Bible wouldn't call for it. It is exactly that verse I based my latest video series on. Sixteen videos (about 2 minutes each) about 'How to stay positive in a negative world'.

'Good' in Romans 12:21 doesn't necessarily mean good deeds or good works (as we may interpret it), but more like a postive quality, a moral quality. That is what the Greek word means. In other words making good quality choices on an everyday basis. When we consistently do so, we overcome evil!

👉Make sure to check out my video series on YouTube or my Instagram channel. You will love this series. The short and practical messages will encourage and inspire you!

About podcasts, videos, devotionals, and a WIP

PODCAST

A little while back the idea came to me to read and record some of my older blog series and publish them as podcasts. Although I am an avid reader, I understand some people enjoy listening rather than reading, and since I have so much valuable material... why not venture out onto new roads? 😉

My husband and I used to listen to cassette tapes and CDs with preaching and teaching. Nowadays we use YouTube. So, audio messages are nothing new, yet podcasts are very popular at the moment.

I am using the Anchor app to record my messages and they get linked to Spotify, where you can find them under 'Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths',  yep... same name as this blog.

Readers: you might enjoy these short messages while walking, working out, or cooking!
Bloggers: maybe this is an idea for you!

VIDEOS

Last year I taped more than 200 video devotions on the Psalms, on Psalm 119 (incl. the Hebrew alphabet), and on Proverbs 3. They are 2 minutes each and you can find them on YouTube or my Instagram TC channel. If you are in need of encouragement and a daily boost of faith, please consider doing #apsalmaday. 👉And... I am working on a new series!

DEVOTIONAL

At the beginning of this year, I decided to read a devotional, which I hardly ever do. The book is called Stormproof, 100 days of triumph over trouble. It is written by John Hagee.

Well, are we going through a storm worldwide, or what? I want to make sure I keep running the race towards the end, I want my faith to grow stronger.

I need this book, I need these reminders!

Are you reading a devotional these days?

WIP, work in progress

I have been working on a new book for quite a while now (I admit I struggle with writing discipline). It will be the ninth book in my series about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century and it deals with the 7th commandment: do not commit adultery. I plan to publish it this year!

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Romans 10:17).

Looking beyond restrictions

Sometimes I get the feeling that 2021 was a year of restrictions, in many ways. That may be true, if I look through a negative lens.

If I look through a positive lens instead and make my 2021 work summary, I come to the conclusion that I have done many things... when it comes to writing and speaking.

I realize that there is an enemy who always tries to make us think that we didn't do enough, that it wasn't good, that it could be better, that what we did had no impact etc. etc.

That enemy is a liar and a thief. He is harassing us, trying to steal our joy, and belittle our talents. For that reason alone I like to take inventory for myself, as proof that he has no right to speak!

• I have recorded more than two hundred videos about the Psalms and Proverbs 3 and distributed them on YouTube and Instagram TV
• I have written monthly blogs for www.ikzoekgod.nl and
• monthly columns for Opwekking Magazine
• In addition, I also wrote posts almost weekly on my English and Dutch blogs
• 
  I also wrote two feature articles for Opwekking Magazine
• Recently I also started making podcasts that you can find on Spotify under the name Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths
• I also wrote 23,000 words in my new book and
• I preached a number of times in churches and at gatherings.

All different ways to stay connected with readers and listeners and to keep spreading His Word. After all, my #oneword for 2021 was connect.

👉I don't know about you, but if you have the feeling that the year has slipped through your hands without significant highlights...

Please, take inventory and you will be amazed at what you have been able to accomplish and it will inspire you to continue, also in 2022!

New video devotions on Proverbs 3

Earlier this year I did a video series on the Psalms which I called #apsalmaday. I taped daily devotions, just two minutes each, on the psalms.

I also did a separate series on Psalms 119 consisting of 22 videos that included the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

This way of staying connected with readers, bloggers, and viewers works quite well. Especially in a time where we need all the encouragement we can get! Oh my goodness, we must help each other to stay filled with hope and faith.

So, I decided to do a new series, and well on Proverbs chapter 3. We'll be reading one verse a day and I connect it with another verse in the Bible, preferably from the New Testament. You might have a verse of your own that pops up in your mind. 👉 Let the Spirit lead you on this wisdom journey!

You can follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my YouTube channel! I hope you will.