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When people talk about the will of God, it is often in association with negative developments. When we are hard hit by a stroke of fate, we might say, “Oh well, it was the will of God.” When our prayers are not granted, we often think: “The things we requested in our prayer must not have been in accordance with the will of God.”
For many, the statement “Your will be done” in the Lord’s Prayer means subordinating to the will of God and having to do without something as a result. We bow before the will of God—even though we would rather have had a different outcome. Continue reading
We cannot celebrate this feast of Pentecost in a usual manner. And I must admit, last year I couldn’t imagine that we would have another, to celebrate it in this way.” The Chief Apostle began his ministry from our church in Seebach, Zurich (Switzerland) at the Pentecost service, Sunday, May 23, 2021. As a basis for his ministry, he used the passage from Romans 8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God..
In Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit reveals Himself in a special way. The Apostles felt a powerful wind blow between them and tongues of fire descending upon their heads. They could speak multiple languages. Those are the signs of power. “But it lasted only in certain time. But, more and more the Holy Spirit worked … in the soul and heart of those who were baptized and sealed.” We can see parts of the signs of power within us. Another part that we cannot see: the Holy Spirit purifies us. Continue reading
To capture the spirit of Pentecost, hundreds of thousands of members of the New Apostolic Church will be gathering this coming Sunday in one large congregation. The international Church leader, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will be conducting the traditional central divine service in Zurich (Switzerland), which will be broadcast throughout the world.
Believers in many countries continue to be in lockdown because of COVID and are currently unable to gather in their church buildings. The divine service will therefore not only be broadcast on the Church’s own channels via satellite and the Internet, but also streamed publicly via YouTube in English, French, German, Sp
Thoughts on the Bible text
…so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
Numbers 11: 4–6
Introduction
The people of Israel were travelling through the desert on their way to the Promised Land. The Israelites had lived as slaves in Egypt for 400 years (Genesis 15: 13). God, however, kept His Continue reading
Thoughts on the Bible text
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4: 17–18 Continue reading
Thoughts on the Bible text
[Christ Jesus] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2: 6–8
Bible reading: Philippians 2: 5–11
Introduction
The Bible text from the letter to the Philippians describes the path of the Son of God from divine glory into the world of humanity. He renounced all sovereignty and appeared as an ordinary man among the people. Continue reading
Thoughts on the Bible text
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Introduction
The biblical text speaks of a pious man who directs his life towards God. He can be sure that God will stand by him. He is compared to a tree standing near water. In regions of the world such as Palestine, where there is little rainfall, only the tree or plant that is near a stream or river can survive so that even if it is hot and dry, they will not be damaged. Continue reading
We live through highs and lows, sometimes filled with fear, and then filled with joy again. Our comfort is that God is faithful! He does what He says He will do. As human beings, we may not always notice this, especially since we only know a tiny part of the divine plan that He has in store for us.
God calls us into eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is something Jesus Himself has confirmed: He wants us to be where He is. God calls us into the fellowship of the believers, that is, into the church to pray together, celebrate together, and work together. God ultimately also calls us into the fellowship of Holy Communion to gives us strength to fight as He did.
Thoughts on the Bible text
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the ever lasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
Revelation 14: 6–7
Introduction
Already early in the history of fallen mankind, God’s care and help is made evident through the actions of angels. For example, in one extremely difficult situation an angel of God encounters Hagar and allows her to experience the help of God. She recognises God as the One who sees her (Genesis 16: 7–14). Continue reading
Thoughts on the Bible text
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6: 26
Introduction
Our Bible text is taken from what is known as the Aaronic blessing. It was with the following words that the priests of the old covenant were to bless the Israelites: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Numbers 6: 24–26). Continue reading