17.11.-06 The blood of Christ
New Testament mentions often of the importance of the blood of Christ. This is very difficult for many people in our time to understand. Many people do not like to see blood and they feel ill to think about it. But anyhow the blood is very important for everyone. If the circulation of blood in our bodies for some reason stops, we die immediately.
Let us look at this spiritually.

New Testament tells us, that we as believers and born again are members in the body of Christ. This is a larger item, which can not be observed with our physical sense organs, it must be considered as a spiritual concept. As members we are different and we have different tasks. As members we should be submitted to the head Jesus Christ (1 Kor.12 and Ef. 4) and act according to his will. Are we doing so? Or do we act in a selfish way according to our own will?

But the body of Christ has also its own circulation of blood. The blood brings nourishment to every part oft the body and it also cleanses and takes away the waste products. Therefore is it important, that nothing interrupts this circulation as e.g. lack of forgiveness, bitterness, hate and so on. In many songs believers sing about the power of the blood of Christ. We must consider, is this power functioning in our lives?
This circulation of blood must be a continuous process in our spiritual life.

When we think about this spiritual deepness, we perhaps better can understand the offering systems in the Old Testament, which was given to Israel. E.g. in the letter to Hebrews describes how this old covenant is fulfilled in the new covenant through Jesus Christ. There is emphasized the importance of the blood of Christ for our spiritual life. Read especially the chapters 9 and 10. John writes 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. … 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2.11.-06 The Christians responsibility
What is the responsibility for a Christian in our society? Do we notice, what is going on? I have followed, what is happening in the world and many trends in our society. I have found, that the prophecies in the Bible relating to the end times are beginning to be fulfilled in a very concrete way.

I want to emphasize two things:
1) Many people are criticizing believers in Jesus. They found lots of errors and are therefore rejecting the Gospel and the Christian faith. By doing this they are open for other views of life. This leads slowly to larger rejection of Christian principles in our society.

Also the Christians live in the same surroundings as other and are experiencing the same pressures, troubles and temptations. Nobody is perfect. We all do our errors. The question is: Is the surrounding world forming a Christians life more than the principles, which are given us in the Bible? How do we reflect the Gospel around us?

When people are discussing various views of life, they do not always realize, that the Christian faith in fact is not a common philosophic view (religion), which has to be obtained. Christian faith is a relationship with God, which is based on the gift from God: Jesus Christ and his salvation. Unfortunately we can also reject this gift and we have no use of it. But although this is a gift of grace, it gives us also responsibility for our daily life and our relationship with other people in our surroundings.

2) The Christians often emphasize various second hand things and quarrel regarding to small differences of view in some Christian teachings. This can be done on behalf of the central issues in the Gospel. This is confusing many people and they do not know what to think. This is a hinder for the spreading of Gospel.

For many believers has e.g. the relationship between law and grace a difficult question. Somebody are looking so thigh at the commandments and are trying to follow them with human strength, that they perhaps do not realize the freedom, which the Gospel offers through Jesus, our Saviour. Other are emotionally thrusting the grace and they do not notice the principles, which are given for our daily life and our relationships with other people in our society. Some people try to remain very neutral and do not express there views, but they try to accept new trends in the society. It is clear, that our personal characters and our traditions influence on our behaviour. Sometimes Christians are accused to be too inward-minded. Everyone should look at his behaviour. Am I living a right life in relation to other people? The people today need more than ever Christian love, compassion and human relationships. Do we found love and compassion in our market-minded world?

If the Christian do not live according to the principles, which the Bible emphasizes, he gives room for the evil powers. Therefore it is very important to spread the Christian Gospel both with words and with our daily lives. We all should pray for the people around us and for the people, who are responsible for our society and must make important decisions in various fields.

We must be thankful, that many Christians are living according to these principles. But much more could surely be done. But are we ready to be more active?

21.10.-06 The Mystery of Life
When I hear about peoples opinions and thoughts, I begin to think about the variations in human life. All man are different. Not even in the same hobby club there are two similar persons. All have their own characters, background, daily experiences etc, which form everyone and his/her opinions.

There is only one common factor: The LIFE. And this too is functioning in different ways according to strength and health.

What is the life? Today we know lots of things about our human functions, but indeed we do not know, what life is and how it has appeared. Common for us all is, that we once are born and sometimes we must die. Nobody can decide: Now I will be born and begin to live. The life is a mystery for us, but anyhow we live and do our daily tasks.

We speak also about the spiritual life or the relationship with God our Creator. Nor can we with word explain this life so, that a person, who has no experience of this, can understand it. Here also is valid the truth, that we must be born into this life. Nobody can do this with own ambitions. We speak about to be born again, about salvation, conversion etc. The Bible tells us about the eternal life, because Jesus has conquered the death (here the separation from God). The sin separates us from God, but the Holy Spirit produces in us a desire for this relationship. We get this life as a gift from God without our own earnings, when we accept Jesus as our Saviour. This life is also a mystery for us. Nobody can fully explain it, but we can live it according to the principles of the gospel in New Testament.

Unfortunately we notice, how this word from the New Testament is largely fulfilled in our time too: "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Rom.1)

Many people ask: Where is God? The answer is in Jes. 57:15: "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Some people think, that God is somewhere in the invisible high, who we can not get in contact with. For other He is a daily reality, who gives life. Why this difference in spite of similar surroundings? The keyword here is HUMBLENESS. Are we too proud to really seek relationship with God?

6.9.-06 Spiritual heritage
With my wife I newly was in my son's summerhouse in the Finnish archipelago. All children with their families were together. We have realized, that the blessings of God have been with us all. What this blessing means is difficult to explain. It can not be measured with properties or with social power and influence. I said, that it certainly is not because of my merits. It is indeed only Gods grace.

In last times I have realized, that one important reason is the spiritual heritage from our forefathers. According to my genealogical studies I told about some of the believing Christian persons among them during last 100 years or a little more. These have very strongly worked to spread Christianity and live according to the Gospel among our families and in the surrounding community. They have openly lived as confessing Christians. Some of them have been pioneers for revival movements. They have had important duties within the Churches. Some have worked and influenced on political issues or in the business-area. Some have for some time worked as missionary doctors or in other tasks e.g. in Africa, etc.

My thoughts went to chapter 12 in the letter to Hebrews:
"1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

I think these verses are valid also regarding to our families. These our forefathers have been strong intercessors. We can still enjoy the fruits of their prayers. The intercessor's children can experience the blessings of the forefathers prayers. But we must however remember, that nobody can live on their forefathers faith. Everyone must make the own personal chose.

Therefore Paul writes:
"1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

I want to congratulate all them, who have intercessors, praying parents, grandparents or friends. Their prayers are far more important, that we normally think.

24.8.-06 The Middle East Problems
Why are the problems in the region so big and so hard to solve. This summer we have heard lots of tragical news in media. Now is the question: How to get peace in the region? Politicians have now tried in last 50 years - but without lasting results. Why?

We can give many reasons for that, but the deepest and most important thing is, that people in general don't know, what is going on.

I have many times written: In the Middle East is not at first hand a political or military conflict, there is a spiritual warfare. If this is not taken in account, there can not be a real peace. We can see, that many of the prophecies in the Bible are going into fulfilment in our days. I have gathered some of these in my link - ISRAEL and the prophecies in   the Bible

Israel is Gods chosen people. Why just Israel, which is so small and have almost always been disobedient toward God, still today. God has himself announced:

Deut.7:6. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8. But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

We can not fully understand the wisdom of God in this choice. Through the people we have got the Scriptures and also our Saviour. In the future they will have tasks and be to blessing for the whole world. Gods plan can not be fulfilled without this people. This is the truth of God, which we have to accept whether we can understand it or not.

Therefore the Devil tries in many ways to destroy this people. Through the history he has many times tried very hard to do it without succeeding. He will not succeed in our time either, although it will be very hard times for this people. Jer.30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
Many places in the Bible tells us about these end times.

But it tells about Israel: Rom. 11:26. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,

Many signs indicate, that these end times are very near. I will not hear repeat all this trends in our time about these times. But as Christians we can lift our heads:
Luke 21: 28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Our task is to pray for this people and for Jerusalem, which is the "apple of his eye": Jes. 62: 6. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, 7. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Our prayer is not depending of, whether we can accept all things, which Israel is doing today. We are praying, that the will of God may be soon fulfilled through this people.

21.6.2006 Facts about Dan Brown : DaVinci Code.

21.6.-06 Why?
Why is God so far away from us? Many people think so, when they try to live a selfish life according their own will or they don't get wanted answers to their prayers. Is God really far away from us or are we far away from God?

God tells us through Isaiah 57: 15. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Is God unreachable somewhere in the Height? Or is God dwelling in our heart? Why can two people experience God in so different ways. The verse gives the answer: humbleness.

Only with the right attitude we can get relation with God. We must humble ourselves and accept Jesus Christ as the only way to our heavenly Father. We can not prepare our own ways to God neglecting the revelations from God through his Word. This is the reason, why so many don't find the relationship.

Roughly spoken people can be divided into two groups:
1. Some think, that God is created by mankind for various reasons (to give answers to our existential questions.) To this group belong e.g. atheists and sceptics and also those, who has sincerely developed some own religion in order to create this connection to God.

2. Many believe (e.g. I personally), that God has created man to his image and God is the highest authority. Therefore we must listen to Gods word and act according to the principles, which he has given us. (More about the Bible in other places in my site.)

What is to be an image of God? Simple spoken we should reflect the characters of God to our surroundings, e.g. love, holiness (harmony) and righteousness. This image has often been very distorted according to our selfishness and our pride.

Many people ask, what is the meaning of human life? Shortly I have defined it like this: We should live in peace and harmony upwards with God and in horizontal direction with the people around us - and inwards in harmony with our selves. Jesus said: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Jesus don't speak about our properties and luxurious life, he speaks about the real foundation of our life, which is not depending of the outward circumstances we are living in. If we in our selfishness make compromises with Gods principles, we might not have this life abundantly in our hearts. We are then suffering in our spiritual life.

      after 20.6.2006.