Bringing transformation

The Gospel is not just bringing life, it brings transformation. This is because the life it brings, is ‘new’ life. A person who accepts salvation, becomes a new creature (1). To have confidence in the gospel (2), includes the belief that the Word of God is inspired, it is ‘God-breathed’ (3).

It is the combination of the Gospel and The Holy Spirit that is THE transforming power. The Word of God gives a lot of good advice, and teaches us how we should live our lives. This is all good and can even bring some change. However, there is a big difference between putting on ‘make up’ and undergoing a total ‘make over’ directed by The Spirit in the Word.

The ‘make over’ happens when the Word of God becomes a part of me and becomes what I live. Make-up is for the outside, make-over takes place on the inside and provides a solid foundation:

“… everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock”, said Jesus.
Matthew 7:24

That is where the transformed life comes from, that is where the transformed life rests, that is where the transformed life will stand firm in the midst of the storm.

The Gospel and The Spirit can be said with one word: Jesus. In him, and only in him, can I reach my God-given potential.

‘Manna’ for today:

In Christ alone!

-----------------------------------------------
(1) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
(2) A CALL TO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOSPEL: As we share the good news of the gospel, we must recognise its power for salvation and transformation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people can be released from everything that stops them reaching their God-given potential.
(3) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
* Source: http://www.marketingjournal.org/the-continuous-transformation-imperative-john-hagel/

Bringing life

When General Brian Peddle calls The Salvation Army to ‘confidence in the gospel’ (1), it could also be a call to all believers in the Christian Church. Paul’s credo confirms the power of the gospel:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16

However, faith works through many stages.

In the story about the woman who had been sick for twelve years (2), it is easy to see several of these stages. First, we read that ‘she heard about Jesus’. Again Paul confirms that ‘faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ’ (3). Further we learn that ‘she thought’. This is an important stage, because it means that what you hear, needs to be implemented in your life, and the woman thought: “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

However, if it stops there, it just remains a nice and comforting thought. Fortunately, the woman took the next step and acted on her faith, she came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his cloak.

She experienced immediate healing, however once again: if it had stopped there, it would only have been a healing.

Jesus knew this. That is why I think he wanted her to come out publicly. I believe that Jesus knew who had touched his clothes, but he would hear it from the woman’s lips. A very important stage of faith is to confess the faith and that which has happened. Even though trembling, the woman was also ready to take this step and she ‘told the whole truth’. 

‘Confidence in the gospel’ – means to act in accordance with it all the stages mentioned above. It is a matter of salvation; it is a matter of bringing life.

‘Manna’ for today:

The Gospel is bringing life!

-----------------------------------------
(1) A CALL TO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOSPEL: As we share the good news of the gospel, we must recognise its power for salvation and transformation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people can be released from everything that stops them reaching their God-given potential.
(2) Mark 5:25-34
(3) Romans 10:17

What is relevant worship?

If we look at churches that are experiencing growth – one of the qualities is that people attend because they find the worship relevant (2). If I made an open survey and asked people what relevant worship is, I am sure that I would get a wide range of answers. I suppose that age, cultural background, expectations, relationships, balance between being a receiver and a contributor will be some of the factors that would influence the response.

I believe it is important to plan worship with all these factors in mind. However, we should never forget the words of Jesus:

“God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24

I live in a culture that is different from where I grew up. In many ways I am not culturally relevant at all. I cannot pretend to be Moldovan, Georgian or from any other culture that differs from my own. But I can be authentic and true in my worship. I can make efforts to build relationship with people I meet and I can pray that the love of Jesus will flow through me. What I can do, is to encourage people of other cultures to be authentic and true in their worship and find expressions that relates to people of their own age-group and culture.

Some years ago I had contact with people from a church with mainly young people clothed in black leather, multiple piercings and chains. I couldn’t relate to their style, but I was at home in their passion.

For several years I was involved in a huge Christian Sport Network in Norway. What they had in common was that they were young, active in sports and had a Christian faith. For more than a decade they called the same retired ‘old’ pastor (1) as one of the main speakers to a summer-camp that gather many hundred young people. The reason: The pastor was authentic, true and full of passion in his communication. He was a bringer of life.

‘Manna’ for today:

Authenticity, love and life are relevant in all cultures.

--------------------------------------------
(1) Edin Løvås (1920-2014) always relevant because of authenticity, love and life!

(2) General Brian Peddle's 'Call to Mission' NOW includes: 

A CALL TO WORSHIP: We should celebrate God’s redeeming love through our worship, seeking culturally-relevant ways to join together in praise and thanks, as we reach out to and welcome people.

To live the life of the Resurrection

NORSK
Since many of us are still in Easter modus I want to post the question:

“Have you ever thought about the Spirit’s role in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?”

If I was to ask this question in a Bible study, I am sure that some would answer “Yes!” – and if you have followed this blog for a while, you will know that the Spirit is the giver of life. The creation story tells us that it was the breath of God that brought Adam to life (1) and if you are attending The Salvation Army, you are likely to have stated that you believe in the regeneration by the Holy Spirit (2).

Paul prayed many prayers for the Ephesians, and in one them he prays: that you may know God’s:

“… incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…”
Eph 1:19-20

Jesus was clear that this power is The holy spirit (3). So when I tomorrow greet the people I meet with the statement: “Christ is risen!”, I am also believing and confirming the mystery that the power that raised him from the dead is for me. Therefore, being conscious of the fact that I as a believer is living the life of the Resurrection even as I live my life here on earth, becomes vital for the continuous unwrapping of the gifts of the Spirit.

‘Manna’ for today:

To live the life of the Resurrection, means to pass on the power of The holy spirit

----------------------------
(1) Genesis 2:7
(2) “We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation” The Salvation Army’s seventh doctrine.
(3) Acts 1:8

The old has gone, the new is here!

NORSK
When I opened www.biblegateway.com this morning, the Verse of the Day contained the words I have chosen as a headline. The Bible has many verses that are fitting for New Year’s Day, however, I can’t recall that I have used this verse at the start of a new year before.

Only few minutes before I read the verse I was listening to a radio-reporter asking people on the street about their New Year's resolutions. One man said something like this: “I want to let the one whose birth we have just celebrated take more control over my destructive thoughts and words – I am saved, you see!” – I think the man knows the reality of the verse:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Cor 5:17

It is all about living the new life in Christ. This is the ‘momentum’ I want to keep in our mission as we go forward into every new day, every new week, every new year – it is the new life! 

‘Manna’ for today:

The new life in Christ is already here, let’s live it!

------------------------------
In 2018 it is my intention and desire to blog weekly in several languages. The weekly blogs will be published on Saturdays, and the first one will be published on 6 Jan. “Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” Phil 3:16 (MSG)

Think afresh? A time for everything*

NORSK
Today, I move to the story of Thomas. A few years ago, I took the role as defence attorney for Thomas for the simple reason that I think he may have been a victim of a ‘spiritual miscarriage of justice’. In my 'procedure' I wrote:

Let us for some moment try to put ourselves into the minds of my client: “If my Master has risen from the dead, why are James and John afraid - why are we still behind closed doors in fear of what the Jews may do to us? If Jesus truly lives, it means that he has even defeated death - what then is there to be afraid of? If my friends really believed it, they should not only tell me, but run out of the streets of Jerusalem and tell the good news.” (2)

When we judge Thomas as a ‘doubter’, we have forgotten that the behaviour of the disciples was not consistent with their recognition of the risen Jesus. Thomas’ claim for proof was therefore absolutely valid.

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:25

I will reflect more on the teaching in the incident with Thomas tomorrow, but I think that the disciples also learned that for a testimony about a living Jesus to be credible, our lives must show that it is true. If not, it is impossible to recognise Jesus.

‘Manna’ for today:

My life must show that Jesus lives

-----------------------------
(1) It is part of the family genes to defend both believers and doubters
(2) See ‘A spiritual miscarriage of justice’ – unfortunately only available in google translate
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity'
 Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.
 

Knowing when it is time to tell - a step on the journey

NORSK
Two years ago we got the call notifying us that we were appointed to Eastern Europe. However, the ‘appointment’ was a secret until it was officially announced five days later; - which happened to be 1 April, and therefore, many people thought it was somebody playing ‘April-fool’. Still, it was good to be free to talk about the news to others than our closest family.

On the way up to Jerusalem, Jesus took a detour together with Peter, James and John up on a high mountain. There Jesus was transfigured in front of them. The strange vision also included Moses and Elijah; it was so special that Peter wanted to build three huts for them. Although I love doing carpentry I am puzzled by Peter’s crazy proposal; perhaps he thought that it was the only thing he could contribute with. Fortunately, he was interrupted by the voice of God speaking from a bright cloud, confirming that Jesus was his son.

Peter, James and John had been witnesses to a powerful revelation. But they had to return to reality, and reality is where the people are:

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Matt 17:9

There is no point in telling about visions and spiritual experiences if it is not confirmed by the new life in Jesus Christ. I'll never forget a conversation I had when I 44 years ago was evangelising on the streets of Tromsø (Northern Norway). “I do not believe in what you say because 'you' say it” the young man whom I had approached replied, “but I believe it's true because I see what has happened with Gøril!" Gøril had experienced radical salvation in a meeting in the basement of the Salvation Army some months prior to my encounter with the young man. As a new creation in Christ, Gøril was a testimony of the new life to her old friends.

When I know that the new life lives in me and around me, I can boldly tell about what has happened, and people will believe it because the new life makes the words trustworthy.
 
Today 'manna':

I want to tell about the new life

---------------------------------
(1) Evangelising in the streets of Tromsø 1 May 1974 - yes, it is I who face the camera, and yes, the 'slumsister' gave me clothes that no-one else would wear - 'squares' were 'out' in 1974 - who cares (?) - and yes - I was able to tell about the new life through the loudspeaker I carry - and yes - I was alive in Christ and so were the people around me - many of them new Christians.

Knowing what to ‘lose my life’ means - a step on the journey

NORSK
On the journey to Jerusalem Jesus is intensifying the teaching of the twelve disciples. He gives them glimpses of deep spiritual truth, but they fail to understand (1):

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matt 16:25

For me this is one of the key-verses in the Bible with regard to finding rest in the mystery of what the life in Christ really is.

The Greek word translated 'life' in this verse, is the word 'psyche', which can also be translated 'soul' - and some translations choose the variant or introduce it in the next verse (2). I do not think Jesus primarily made reference to the 'physical life'. Therefore, I prefer 'soul', for the soul is the seat of my understanding, my emotions and my personality – including my will. I do not think I am much different from other people. I want to understand, I want to feel, I want to have control over who I am. It is a basic human need to want to save his life. 

According to Maslow's pyramid of needs (see illustration), safety is what I seek as soon as my physiological needs are covered. The feeling of having control makes me safe and belongs to our most basic needs. To hand over control to God, is really to lose my life, fortunately to be able to find it again as a new creation in Christ. When I handed over the control to God, this also included surrendering my claim to understand or feel everything that happens, and I entrusted to him the transformation of my personality and my will.

This is not 'one' step, but 'a' step, because it is a step I have to take every day until I reach his destination for my journey.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am so happy that I lost my 'life' and found a new life in Him

-------------------------------------
(1) The understanding was revealed to them by the Spirit after Pentecost
(2) Matt 16:26

I am born of ... yes, of course

NORSK
The theme: “What kind of birth which gives access to the kingdom of God” is still on the agenda:

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”
John 3:5

Yesterday, I wrote about water, blood and Spirit as three witnesses to my regeneration. Today "born of the Spirit" gets my full attention. For some reason we seem to be more familiar with the idea of the Spirit’s role in the rebirth. Perhaps, the reason for this familiarity is found in the creation-story:

And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:7

Already in the first verse of the prologue, John identified "logos" as God. A few verses later he states “In him was life”. Therefore, it is also he who gives mankind new life. Just as God breathed the breath of life into the first Adam, he now breaths new life through the last Adam. This is how Paul describes this:

“The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
1 Cor 15:45

There is a lot of food for the thought in this reflection, but the main thing is to have the assurance of regeneration in the heart!

‘Manna’ for today:

I am born of the Spirit! (1)

----------------------------------
(1) Of course I am – I have already declared that "I am born of God"

What's the link between a fallen tree and a kernel of wheat?

NORSK
It's really nice to have the opportunity to watch Norwegian TV via internet, and this weekend we watched "My nature" with a special focus on the forest. Trude Myhre took us to 'her forest' and with her background as a biologist she said: 

"It is in the moment the old tree falls and dies that the real life begins". 

She referred to the incredibly rich variety of species and life that finds a habitat in, on and off a dead tree. Since I was already in Easter preparation mode, I must admit that she pinpointed the Easter-message in an elegant way.
 
Several times in the Gospel of John, Jesus makes it clear that his hour was not yet come. It is interesting that it was an incident with some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, that seemingly triggered Jesus' statement:

"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds"
John 12:23-24

There are two things from this incident that it is important for the understanding of Jerusalem as the birthplace of "all" people.

1. The Greeks were Gentiles. When they wanted to meet Jesus, it was a signal that his message already had reached far beyond the small group of Jewish followers, and that also ‘outsiders’ would be able to grasp the mystery that would take place in Jerusalem some days later.
2. The illustration with the kernel of wheat that dies to be able to bear fruit and new life, leads my thoughts in the direction of the new birth.

It also confirms the prophecy in Psalm 87; and there is more on the agenda for tomorrow.

Today 'manna':

The death of Jesus is the precondition for the start of new life

-------------------------------------------

...towards a goal

NORSK
When I last Friday concluded the study of the letters to Timothy, the final reflection was about 'ending on the right note' - which is the same as ending up where you intended to go. Paul was very target focused in his mentoring of Timothy and ensured that his disciple developed good habits to achieve the goals of the mission (1).

To be target focused is an important trait whatever we want to achieve. Some years back, I spent forty days reflecting on Rick Warren's book "Purpose driven life" (2) on this blog. The book confirms how important it is to live for a purpose and set goals. I have also repeatedly expressed my excitement of Eugene Peterson's definition of discipleship as 'Long Obedience in the same direction' (3). I become more and more convinced that it is an ingenious definition, and it confirms the value of having clear goals.

Jesus knew the purpose of his life, and he knew that the most important goal of his mission would take place in Jerusalem:

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.”
Luke 18:31

Luke also described the reaction of the disciples in this way: “The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.” v 34 (3). Nevertheless, they followed the master because he knew where he was going. This truth highlights the importance of knowing his will and goals.

‘Manna’ for today:

It is God’s will and goals that are important

PS My intent is to continue on the road to Jerusalem in preparation for Easter
------------------------------
(1) See e.g. “It is about lifestyle” and “Journey of Renewal”
(2) The series starts with the entry "The next 40 days" – only available in English through google translate.


(3) See the reflection 'Long obedience in the same direction' – only available in English through google translate.
(4) It is this kind of verses which makes the Bible trustworthy for me - see “How blessed humanly ...”

I need inspiration

NORSK
It is easy to stumble in words. I do it many times per day. It is perhaps understandable since I must relate to many languages every day. However, it does not get much better when the evening comes and Magna and I can speak Norwegian. Presumably the brains are too tired or we continue to work with what has happened during the day.

He was probably a little hyped up the student at Jeløy Folkhighschool. He should tell that something had happened to his roommate, that caused him to go the hospital which again lead to this statement "He had to go to the hospital and is in 'desperator'". The situation may have seemed to be pretty desperate, and it is good that there is a respirator. 'Re' means 'again' and 'spirator' means a 'breathing'. So the respirator helps people to retrieve their breath.

Inspiration is therefore the noun for the act of blowing life into. In the Creation-narrative, I read that

the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Gen 2:7 KJV

So - inspiration brings life to that which is lifeless.

I write this as a prelude to this reminder to Timothy:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17

If I need inspiration, I must go to an inspired source. I have good experience with the living word of God. It gives me something fresh every day. The God-breathed Scriptures carries God's life in him, and I have decided to be remain in this verse for couple of days.

‘Manna’ for today

I will go to the source which is life and gives life.

PS - Today, I am also inspired by the thought of ​​the care that I received from my grandmother. It is already more than 40 years since she was promoted to glory, and today is the 100th anniversary of her birth.
--------------------------------

Accountability in everything received.

NORSK
The core theme in the letters to Timothy, is the stewardship of "The good deposit"- which is the gospel that all who believe have received and accepted.
 
A Danish proverb says:

What you are,
is God's gift to you
What you do with what you are,
is your gift to God!

Ever since I made the final decision to follow Jesus at the age of 14, I have also known that spreading the good news of the gospel, is part of the new life I have received. Paul reminded Timothy about this too:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

When I yesterday quoted Laura Petri’s interpretation of William Booth’s recipe of how to avoid quarrelling about words, the quote included this statement: “Partly, he did not want to have the main emphasis on doctrine, but on life”. This is the emphasis in Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. If a worker in God’s kingdom has something to be ashamed of, it becomes difficult to present the word of truth in the right way. Deed and creed must ‘walk’ hand in hand. That does not mean your life has to be perfect, but it must be lived under the grace, and the grace is part of God's gift.

The combination of living in God's gift to me, and the communication of the gospel with the light God has given me in and through his word, is my gift to God. This is what I and all believers are held accountable for.

'Manna' for today:

Deed and creed ‘walk’ hand in hand

------------------------

Can a role model make progress?

NORSK
If I take today’s challenge given to Timothy seriously, the answer to the question must be a definite “Yes!”:

Practice these things, and live by them so that your progress will be visible to all.
1 Tim 4:15

Even though I am in Jesus Christ, and therefore am “good enough”, there will always be room for more of Jesus in me. Therefore, I can relax in the grace, but still have a goal to make progress. It can happen through focus on the 'things' Paul identified and told Timothy to practice. 

Nevertheless, focus on practices is just about consciousness. When I am conscious about the 'things', I need to “live by them”. Again Paul is stressing that it is all about "life". This reminder can never be repeated too often, because it is when the practices become parts of our life that the progress becomes visible to "all", even though we do not notice it ourselves.

‘Manna’ for today:

Where life is, progress is a natural part.

-----------------------------

He lived as he taught

NORSK
That was the reason why Paul had credibility as mentor. Timothy had witnessed how Paul lived his life. He had seen how Paul returned to his home-town, Lystra, a town where he had been stoned by the mob and dragged out of the city and left for dead (1).

A person who voluntarily returns to such a place, knows who he believes in, and also in the love that has overcome all evil. Therefor will all he said and wrote also be credible.

When he wrote:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim 4:7

Timothy knew from all his dealings with Paul that it was true. Therefore, he was also ready to accept his exhortations, because Paul had lived just as he taught Timothy to live:

pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Tim 6:11b-12

Many have given me advice down through the years, but those I “listen” to, are they who live as they teach.

‘Manna’ for today:

Credibility depends on the congruence between life and teaching

----------------------------------
(1) Acts 14:19-20

It is about virtue

NORSK
What kind of virtue did Peter have in mind for his “fruit-recipe”?

“add to your faith virtue”
2 Pet 1:5

The new King James version sticks close to the Greek, while NIV which often is my first choice, translates it ‘goodness’. 

I prefer virtue, but also in Norwegian, the newer translations have changed the word virtue with e.g. ‘a right life’.

I think Peter had the four classical or cardinal virtues in mind when he made his list. These are values that were cherished in his time and they have their origin in Greek philosophy: 

• Temperance
• Wisdom
• Courage
• Righteousness

All four could have made a single ingredient, but Peter collect the in the single word ‘virtue’. Down through the history of the church “faith, hope and love” were added to form the seven Christian virtues as a counterpart to the seven deadly sins. 

If I return to the Norwegian translation ‘a right life’, this can be the counterpart to a life in sin. May be that is close to what Peter had in mind? I start with faith, and continue by choosing to live a right life. To do that I need to choose which values I will build my life on. Then the four cardinal virtues in combination with the three values that remain (1) are a good choice. I make that choice, and then I am ready to continue tomorrow.

‘Manna’ for today:

It is about choosing the right values.

----------------------------
(1) 1 Cor 13:13

It is about fruit that gives life

NORSK
Three weeks ago I wrote that holiness is about reproduction,  and some days later about the dream about fruit in abundance. Both reflections point towards the great possibility and quality of the fruit Solomon describes:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life
Proverbs 11:30

A tree of life is synonym with eternal life (1). The fruit of a life lived in intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, is to communicate eternal life to others. Then we really start talking about producing ‘fruit in keeping with repentance’ (2).

I have met people who are like a “tree of life” in the world. 
Last week I had the honour of being present at the funeral of Pavel Ivanovitch Bukalov (picture). He was that kind of tree. In the large congregation of 2-300 people, many were a direct fruit of Pavel’s passion to see people saved. In addition I know many who today are spread all over the world, whom Pavel by God’s grace has led to eternal life and who looks upon him as their spiritual father.

More than ever the world needs people whose fruit is a tree of life.

‘Manna’ for today:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life

------------------------------------------
(1) Gen 3:24
(2) Matt 3:8

It is about fresh fruit the whole life

NORSK
I know that fruit trees have a limited life, but I am fascinated when I see an old tree with fresh fruit. Although I still feel that I have strength, energy and courage, I am well aware that I approach the group that will labelled "elderly" and I notice that I enjoy the journey.

Moreover, I am constantly encouraged by the word of God and I love to get together with the people of God in worship and service. Today's verse is therefore very encouraging for this combination: "elderly", the word of God and the house of the Lord:

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
Psalm 92:12-14

 ‘Manna’ for today:

As long as there is life, there will be fresh fruit

-----------------------------

Today is a ‘D-day’

NORSK 
Today my reflection is a little bit different. I know it is not the 6th of June – but nor was it the intention that anybody should know that it was just that day. It is about the nickname for the operation in 1944 that should be the beginning of the end of WW2. D-day is an abbreviation of Day-day, an unspecified day when something will happen. It was carefully prepared.

The first day of every month is “Recharge Day” in our territory. That means a day when we “charge” our batteries to have power for everything that will happen. It is a possibility for officers to use the day to reflect on the most important thing: My personal relationship with God. If that relationship is not working, nothing of lasting value will happen in the Kingdom of God. It is about preparation.

What has also made me think about “D-day” is the letter “D” which is Roman numeral for 500. I have just discovered that I on my blog in September for the first time had an average of more than 500 visitors on my blog every day. It makes me humble, and I pray that it may lead to something happening in the Kingdom of God. I also think about Paul who wrote about how Jesus revealed himself for his disciples after he had risen from the dead. I believe that it happened due to divine preparation:

After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time.
1 Cor 15:6

I believe that an encounter with the risen Jesus led to a change in the lives of the five hundred, because a meeting with Jesus does something with us if we meet him alone, or in a fellowship of more than 500. I my blog-reflections make people draw closer to a living Jesus, every day will be a D-day, because it will be a day that will make things happen. It is about me preparing myself.

‘Manna’ for today:

Today it is possible to meet with Jesus – alive!

---------------------------------------

It is about spirit

NORSK

The headline seems obvious, but it is interesting how often we forget this truth when the subject is holiness. Our attention easily drifts to behaviour, but: Holiness is about God’s spirit and man’s spirit = my spirit.

Already on the first page of the Bible we read that:

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Gen 1:2 KJV

It was just this presence that was needed for creation of new life. Holiness is not something I do, holiness is something I live. That which is about spirit, is about life. It was the same life-giving spirit that breathed life in the first man, but that is the subject for tomorrow.

Today I realize that spirit is like a red lifeline through the Scriptures to the very last page where we see the influence of God’s Spirit upon his creation:

“The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Rev 22:17

In this “Grand finale” it is interesting to note that the mission of the Spirit and the bride has become “one” – one of the aims of holiness has reached is fulfilment!

‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is something I live

----------------------------------