God as your Source

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

When we seek the Kingdom of God first and put that Kingdom first, the rest will be added, the Bible says.

The Kingdom of God in the first place means: surrendering yourself completely to God and dying to your own self. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; Galatians 2:20a. Lord what do you want me to do?

Don’t be concerned about anything.

(But worrying is human, right?)

Many people live in shortage. They talk about the high prices, they talk about a broken washing machine or a wage that is too low. They worry about everything. Money, future, work, you name it. That is understandable, when it all just works.

But the Bible says, Be anxious in nothing, but in all things, through prayer and supplication, let your desires be made known to God with thanksgiving; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Yes, but isn’t that human to worry? That’s right, it’s human. But we as a new creation live Spiritually. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

In 2013 we were almost divorced… God saved our marriage, but the time we had, where we followed our own “I”, had consequences. We were on the brink of bankruptcy. The maximum we could be in the red, we were in the red business-wise. The Lord had saved our marriage after we surrendered ourselves to Him again. The consequences were not yet resolved. We didn’t tell anyone, but said, ‘Lord, You saved our marriage. You let us know that we can continue to live in this house. Thank You that You will also provide this piece.”

came in a supernatural way. First because of a calculation error by the accountant, which meant that we had to pay much less VAT than usual. I had two weeks to do that. We gave thanks for provision and also did what we could. I sent a reminder to customers who had not paid and God made sure that just enough money came in for the VAT. A few weeks later we suddenly received a large amount back from the tax authorities. This allowed us to start building again. The next quarter it turned out that the bookkeeper had not calculated it correctly and we still had to pay the other part. At that moment it was possible again. Hallelujah!

We didn’t tell anyone our need…

But made our need known to our Father in Heaven.

God is so faithful that He makes the sun rise on the bad and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. Matthew 5:45b

When you put the Kingdom of God first, He will give you everything you need. A roof over your head, clothes, food.

I regularly come across people who give all kinds of hints in what they need. I would prefer to have this. I’m praying for that. I have faith for sister. I live on gifts. ‘Oh? And why should I know that? Do you hope that I am your source?’ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your desires be made known to God Philippians 4:6 Let your desires be known to God, says the Bible. It does not say, “And hint to all your friends so that they may provide for you.”

Begging, or being provided by the Source.

Recently someone told me about faith for provision for something. The person told me what it was. Too bad, I thought. Suppose the Lord had now spoken to my heart, without being told. Then it would have been supernatural provision. Had I reacted to this now, it would have been a natural supply. I now knew of the emergency.

Therefore I say to you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Believe that the Father in Heaven provides for your needs. Don’t look at people. It traps you when you start to rely on people. You get the feeling that you have to keep them happy, by being nice to them or something like that. Otherwise they may not give anything more. Foundations also have a hand in this. Be kind to their givers. Show them pictures or videos. Or, for example, by giving gifts.

While people and foundations that have put their hopes in God, don’t have to manipulate you by giving or hinting. They know that God is their Provider. They seek the Kingdom of God first and know that everything will be given to them. They don’t rely on people.

Do not trust in nobles, in the son of man, in whom there is no salvation. Psalm 146:3 Then you don’t have to be disappointed in people who don’t give money. God is your Source, your Provider. Then you don’t have to judge people. Then you don’t have to measure them, if they say no. When you feel a need for something to give, give. The Lord will always provide you, so you will not lack.

Years ago we supported a foundation structurally. Sometimes it was said: If you did not give, we would receive little. That was hard. It was not our calling. It was their calling. We were behind the foundation. At a certain point we didn’t want to give to that foundation anymore, because our hearts were not in it anymore. There was a friendship attached to it, so it was hard to stop. Suppose they got angry. Suppose the friendship ended. We asked someone for advice. We didn’t quite know how this worked. The person said, “If they’re called by God, isn’t God the Provider, isn’t you?” Wow, that was striking language. We needed that. It was even haughty to think it couldn’t do without us. We decided to throw it open and tell what was on our minds. We don’t want to give anymore. “No problem was the answer.” “God is our Source. We are called of Him, and He will provide. That is faith and trust.”

A year later we learned that their ministry had grown tremendously and we were so grateful. God is The Provider. He always responds to faith. Without faith,

however, it is impossible to please God. For whoever comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t rely on people.

Prayer;

Thank You Father that You are the great Jehovah Jireh. Thank You that You never give Your children a stone when they ask for a loaf of bread. Thank you that we don’t have to rely on people, although you often use them. Thank You for teaching us to trust You only because You are a good Father. You know the desires of our hearts, but I also want to tell them to You today. (specify your needs) Thank you that I have already received it.

Amen

Think of what is true

Things are fired at us all day long. The media wants to show us things. The people around us make you believe things and voices pass through our minds.

As soon as we start to believe the things that come into our heads and let them fall for truth in our hearts, something happens.

What do we let down in heart? The things that are true? Or the lies from outside? Things God Says or Things Others Say? As soon as I open a platform on the internet, all kinds of things come at me. War, diseases, accidents, inflation, housing shortage. So much to worry about.

The Bible says the devil comes to rob, steal and destroy. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10a. The devil comes to rob you of your joy, to steal your peace. He comes to kill and destroy. He destroys everything that is good. Many people are focused all day on all the misery in the world and share it with anyone who wants to hear it.

“Did you see what they’ve come up with now? Have you heard what’s going to happen next?” “We’re going to have a really hard time.” One “prophecy” after another is shared. “Maybe we won’t be able to buy anymore. Maybe our money is worth nothing anymore. Soon we will be short.’

I’ve been worried about this sort of thing for a while too. One day I went to the supermarket and I saw people standing with a camera and microphone. They wanted to interview people about the measures taken by the government. It was sometime in early 2021 and suddenly I realized what I was doing. I had my magnifying glass pointed at the one who comes to rob, steal and destroy. I knew I couldn’t give an interview because bitterness would come out of my mouth. I had not filled myself with the things from above, but with things of the world. I decided to repent of this. I have stopped giving the slightest thought to the concerns of the world. No more looking at it or dealing with it. When I do, something immediately happens to me. Peace disappeares and discontent gives way to my thinking. I start to worry. What an honor does the evil one get when we talk all day long about his so-called “successes.”

The Bible says we should focus on the good.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Filip 4:8

When we focus on this, we don’t worry but we rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord. I say it again: rejoice in Him! Let your kindness be known to all. The Lord is close to you. Don’t worry about anything, but pray for everything and ask God for what you need, thankful for all He does. Then you will experience the peace of God, a peace that surpasses human comprehension and that watches over your hearts and minds, because you are in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

When we focus on these things, rejoice in the Lord, give thanks for everything, then we have PEACE that pass all understanding. The Bible tells us to bring every thought under the obedience of Jesus Christ.

For we break down false reasonings and every height that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to bring it to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Consider all that is true, that which is noble, that which is just, that is lovely, that which is pure… A thought comes to you, you bring it under the obedience of Jesus Christ. Is it true? Is it clean? Is it fair? Arrows are often mainly aimed at our thoughts. We are responsible for what we do with it. Many people think they can’t help it and they have to take whatever comes to their mind. “I’m going crazy with my thoughts” they say.

 They go to look at it, and then let it sink into their hearts as truth. Fear, bitterness and anger  arise. The truth is replaced by the lie. And what fills your heart,  flows out of your mouth. In Matthew 12:34b, Jesus says, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

When we begin to put the events of the world above the Word of God, we will act upon them.

The Word of God is the Truth. Replace the lie with the Truth.

I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is the truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. John 17:14-18

When the world says, “It’s all going down,” the Word says, “You are beyond sparrows.” Matthew 6

When the world says, ‘There is want,’  the Word says, ‘But my God, according to His riches, will supply you with all you need, in glory, through Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19.

When it is cried, “You stand alone, then I know, ‘The LORD is my Keeper, the LORD is my shade, at my right hand.” Psalm 121:5. “He will not fail or forsake me.” Hebrews 13:5.

When the world says, “You may get sick,” I know it says, “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5b

The world says, “Old age comes with blemishes.” Psalm 92:15 says, “In old age they shall bear fruit, they shall be fresh and green.”

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing! Psalm 23.

Hallelujah! When worries come to your mind, chase them away and replace the lie with the Truth of God. Rejoice in the Lord! Then your heart will overflow with His goodness. Streams of living water flow from within you. Water that everyone wants to drink from, instead of stinking, rotting water that everyone turns their noses at and runs away from. Think of things from above and not from the earth.

Now if you have been raised up with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ is, who sits at the right hand of God. Think of the things that are above and not those that are on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

Praise the Lord oh my soul with all that is in you, His holy Name!

Prayer of thanksgiving, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains, from there  comes my help. My help is from You Lord, Who made heaven and earth. You will not shake my foot; You, my Keeper will not slumber. You, the Keeper of Israel, shall not slumber nor sleep. You, LORD, are my Keeper, You, LORD, are my shadow, at my right hand. The sun shall not strike me by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep me from all evil; my soul he will keep. The LORD will keep my going out and my coming in from now on and for ever. Thank you! Amen.” Psalm 121.

Where your treasure is, there will also be your heart

I wanted to be miljonaire, I wanted to earn a lot of money so that I would be someone. To learn was not my thing, I couldn’t do it so I decided to earn a lot of money. Everybody would have it checked, especially the ones who said I was dumb. My husband desired a posh car, a Porsche, so that would match perfectly! We worked so hard, about 80-90 hours a week. Everything was breaking up but even then our goal was to work, and work hard. Our heart was in the company and in earning lots of money, but we really did not earn that much money. But we kept going and our heart stayed in the company.

For where your treasure is , there your heart will be also

‘Do not store up treasurs for yourselves on earth where mot and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in to steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in or steal, so I say, do remember: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Matt 6:19-21.

Last week I was thinking: the moment you set your heart on something, in our case money, then in fact you give your heart away. Focusing on the things on earth capture your heart to do everything to reach the goal you have set on earthly things. When your heart is not in your body anymore, but in things, in fact you are dead.

Matt 6:33 ‘But seek first His Kingdom and His righteouness and all these things will be given to you as well.’

One day we had enough! We had worked so much and it had not given the result we wanted, we were so tired and we had lost ourselves. We decided we had to change and we gave our possessions and our company back to God and changed our goals. Our goal wasn’t money anymore, but living our life with Christ.

‘The world and its desires pass away; but whoever does the will of God lives forever.’ 1 John 2:17

Jesus gives life!

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3 : 1-2

Giving away everything gives freedom; and be fully aware to set your heart on the things of heaven above.

A childrens song I learned when I was young is saying:

‘I have a purse that is never getting old.

I have a treasure that never runs out.

I have a treasure in heaven,

I have Jesus in my heart.

He is the King, He is the King.

He is the One who sets us free.

He is the King, He is the King.

He is King forever.

Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth

and He became a man just like you and me

To lead us to His Father

I am the way, He says.

Do not look for treasures on earth.

Their value shall not stay.

I give you a treasure in the Kingdom.

Follow me, you will be rich like a king.

Jesus says to you: I know all your sorrows

because I became a man like you.

So come to me, do not wait until tomorrow

come and I make you free.

I am the light of the world

and shine in the darkest night.

This is the day that your life begins.

Follow me and you will be as happy as a child.

I have a lamp that will never go out.

I have a way that goes up high.

I have a home in heaven

and I have Jesus in my heart.

He is King, He is my King!’

To give and to take? ….or to recieve

Since my childhood I am being told about life: it is giving and taking. You give and that gives you the right to take something in return. We give and take! I do something for you and you do something in return for me, some sort of forced scoring-system. You drive the car when we go on a trip, I will drive next time. Somebody comes to help you with a job, you’ll help the other one in return. I come to visit you and next time you bring me flowers in return…. exhausting and purely based on ratio.

I personally didn’t dare to ask for help. If someone once would ask me to come over and help me I said : “NO”. I had my own theories: you should never ask anyone if they needed help, but just do it, help them. But by doing so you bumped into their boundaries so that didn’t work either. Again I just said NO if somebody offered me a helping hand. Imagine that they expected me to help them in return….running my own job was enough for me and that cup was already always running over, so you could state: I already had enough on my plate.

Giving was not the problem and something I was good at. Doing good to others. Helping someone or giving something to someone, in fact I started to give even larger gifts every time.

Actually this was the result of a kind of arrogance. A great feeling of being independent. I was very scared of being dependent on someone else, I needed nobody and I arranged my own affairs.

Give from youre heart.. Receive with youre heart

Until…

Until my husband and I came to an all time low moment. I, who often said to other people; ”I pay the bill”, I couldn’t even do that anymore.

One night I wanted to meet up with someone. But, who was waiting for me to show up ? I couldn’t say; “let us meet here or there…and I invite you and the bill is on my behalf” …because I had almost no money and had to count every penny. I felt so small, but anyway I send a message to my niece and asked; “can we have a drink somewhere?” Not in a restaurant please because I have no money to go there.” She said; ”you can come to me, I’ll pay for you!” I said; “ Really? Do you really want to pay for me?” I, who was always so generous could not believe she said that and to recieve…… One day, we would go out for dinner with my tennisteam but I signed out. I told them; “I am so sorry girls, I cannot afford this now, Iam so low in cash.” But the answer I recieved was: ”come on, you have to join us, and we join togheter to pay your bill as well” Seriously, I felt sooo small about this but also very thankfull.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, i twill be measured to you. Luke 6:38

To give and recieve Love

The moment that you give and cannot recieve, a form of resentment can rise in your heart. A bitterness that an other person can easily recieve while hardly giving anything. No time, no gifts or flowers, not helping others or anything that I found difficult to manage. In fact, then you give more than you recieve! I discovered that I could not give without recieving back but only to give. It was all about to BE someone, it was part of my desire to be known and seen.

Whatever you do, work at it wit all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will recieve an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colosians 3:23-24

In that difficult stage in my life I learned to recieve. Up to this day I find it hard to recieve and to say…”thank you, so sweet that you had me in mind”. “So nice that you take time for me” –or- “great that you choose this present for me that fits so perfectly, or thank you for the compliment on my behalf!” and that I can recieve these words and compliments without having 3 critical points passing my mind.

Giving and recieving

Giving with love right from your heart. And recieving from someone else who is giving from a kind and loving heart. For me, it is a real present when somebody can recieve what I have to give.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work 2 Cor 9:8

Prayer: Thank you Lord that I recieve enough to share with others. Learn me to give with love more and more and to recieve in thankfullness. Amen.

Bitter or Better ..

Matthew 18:21 ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive?

When something was done to me, I wanted to make that person pay for it. To let the other person experience my pain, just by having an attitude of rejection and exclude that person from my heart, by sneering and accusing the other one repeatedly. But it never helped. The pain didn’t disappear. Somehow I felt justified to do that, but I also felt guilty. Once in a while the other person said sorry, but I thought that was not enough. I refused to forgive and kept my stubbornness. Forgiveness felt like the approval of the other’s behavior. As if I had to let go the pain I experienced over what occured to me.

When I made a mistake by myself, I hoped for a quick act of forgiveness

In Matthew 18 the story continues where Jesus gives an example: A servant was brought to a King, a servant who had made many debts. The servant owed the King millions of money. The King decided to claim it all back. The servant could not repay that amount. The King then wanted to sell the servant, his wife and children as slaves. The man pleaded with the King to not do this. He begged the King: “Please be patient with me, I will pay you everything back “. The King took pity on him and cancelled his debt. Wow! That is not normal …it is like you would be told to pay off your mortgage today. It is actually quit normal to let you work to make money until the debt is paid, right? You beg the bank for mercy and they tell you that you are free of debts. It would feel like you won the lottery and exclaim: “I am totally free of debt!”

But then you take a walk outside and meet a friend. Instead of waive this friend, who owes you some money, you only ask your money back. You demand him this money back, no matter how you do it.

There were people who heard about the servant that was released from his very large debt, and they saw that the same servant demanded the small amount another servant owed him. That first servants debt was out of proportion in comparison to the small debt the other servant owed him. The king heard about it and is furious. The servant is arrested and put in the torture room until his large debt is paid.

Matthew 18:35 ‘So my heavenly Father will treat you the same unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

The moment I do not forgive my brother or sister, I put him or her in a prison of guilt. I put myself in captivity of bitterness, anger and rejection. It is like in a tortureroom. I hope that the other person will be tortured, but in the end I am tortured myself.

What you sow will you reap is a saying. Or who does well, meets well. Sow forgiveness and you will be forgiven.

“Lord, how often do I have to forgive?” Jesus says: “70 to 7 times. Again and again.” But you don’t know what someone has done to me …” That is true, but Jesus knows. He said: “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.” And that is the truth. Most of the time one really doesn’t know what he or she is doing. Sometimes somebody acts on purpose, so that can be the reason that I really don’t want to forgive! But God wants to set you free from every burden. He wants to set you and the other person free.

Do you experience that it is very difficult to forgive, but you want to forgive and recieve freedom?

I want to invite you to pray along with this prayer:

‘Lord, I don’t know how to forgive. I have so much pain in my heart. I would rather see that the other person pays for my pain the rest of his/her life. But Lord, I want to let it go. I bring it all to you, my pain and sorrow, anger and bitterness. And Father, please forgive them. Because they don’t know what they do. I want to be free and let it go, and bring it all before you. Amen.’