Sharing Love From Sweden - "ARE THE POOR WELCOME IN THE CHURCH?" - Eva Haglund

ARE THE POOR WELCOME IN THE CHURCH?

by Eva Haglund, Sweden

Nowadays you can read about Christian conferences, which at times can cost a lot of money for one person to attend. If your family wants to go to the conference that would indeed be a lot of money to pay.

What happens then for those Christians who cannot afford to pay? They are then unable to go to any conference. Are not Christian conferences for the poor also?

I understand that it costs money to operate a church building. But to have people stopped at the door because they cannot afford to give? I know of such places. 

If people hear about meetings in that building, and they are not saved and yet try to visit, is it any wonder if they are also stopped at the door because they do not have money to give? Would they ever try to visit a Christian meeting again?

There are many Christians who do not have much money. While some Christians can afford to go on trips to many locations, there are others who cannot even afford to buy a book. Some of these hardly even have food. Yet are these sisters and brothers in the Lord still welcome in church? Are there people who are not saved, and poor, who are not welcome in the church?

A church congregation ought to be there for the poor in church also. In John 17:21 we read that love is a testimony to the world. If people in church are met by love it is a testimony. It is written, "that they all may be one, as You Father are in Me, and I in You that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."  Jesus says also in John 15:12, "This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you." We ought to do the same.

In Acts 2:46 we read that Christians "sold their possessions and goods, and divided them  among all, as anyone had need." I do not think we always have to sell all our possessions and divide them, but we see here the heart they had for sisters and brothers in the church who were poor. We see here the care for the poor, to help each other when there was a need. 

Many people are poor in the world and they need to feel welcomed in church. Jesus was generous. He also said, "Feed My sheep." In John 21:17 we are to show care in different ways. Jesus gave His Bread, which is His life. (John 6:51)

In Acts. 3:6 Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." I do not think Peter had money here either, as he said, "silver and gold I do not have". But he gave what he had.

We understand that Jesus identified with the poor. He came into the world and was born in a stable. Even as a newborn He identified with the poor and homeless. He was not welcomed in the hostel. As in some places today, doors can also be closed.

If there are economic needs in church, these needs should be met in a way other than making people pay to go to a church gathering. In the Bible we see that the Christians collected as they could and helped the poor. In Luke 10 we read that the Samaritan reached out and helped a man who was wounded emotionally and physically, having no money to help himself. We are to do as this example was given to us.

The church needs to reach out and assist the poor. There needs to be a welcoming church for the poor. We are called to be Jesus' hands and feet on earth, and welcome the poor into our midst. Then we will be demonstrating the true love of Jesus to the world, as we welome the poor into our churches.

Sharing Love From Sweden - A CHURCH FOR THE WOUNDED by Eva Haglund

A CHURCH FOR THE WOUNDED

Sharing Love From Sweden

By Eva Haglund

Some people have not gone through so many trials while others have. Some have suffered very much. Those who have not suffered much do not understand people who have gone through many difficult things. Some have family and friends who go home and do not understand the pain. They look down at those who are sick, poor and wounded, They do not care while there are others who show compassion and love.

In Job we read that he was ill and suffered much. He went through a lot of trials. Some Christians who look down at people who are ill and wounded seem not to have read Job's story, where Job too was ill and wounded. Some of his friends did not understand him in the trials and spoke words which were of no encouragement. Job however was not bitter towards them but forgave them and prayed for them. Job's faith was tested in all trials, but he kept standing. His wife told him to curse God and die but Job refused and he kept the faith. He knew God was good.

Sometimes we go through tests of our faith. We need to keep standing as Job did. In the end of Job's book we read that he got back all that he had lost, and even more. In Luke 6:21 we read, "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets." This is a good word in the Bible as it also gives comfort!

Wounded people who has suffered much need comfort. It is important we share comfort. In Isaiah 40:1 is written, "Comfort, yes comfort, My people," says your God.

We can show comfort in different ways, such as counseling, talking, fellowship, and also buy flowers to someone as a present. Practical love heals. God is a God of comfort. We need to seek Him in the Bible where there are a lot of words on comfort. I also think that friendship and fellowship is healing for wounded people.

In Luke 10 we see a man who was wounded. He was wounded emotionally, physically and was robbed. He had no money. The one who helped him was a person other people looked down at, but he showed compassion and helped this man. In James 2:17, is written "Thus also faith by itself , if it does not have works, is dead." Faith ought to be shown in love.

Many people are wounded today. They need compassion, understanding and love. People as us can reach out and help. It is also important to know that all people have the same value, Jesus says in Matt 25:40, "Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these of these of my brethren, you did it for Me."

Many are wounded and suffer today in the world but love shared can be like a miracle.

In Rom 12:15 it is written, "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep."

When there is compassion for people there sometimes also can be tears, When we read "weep for those who weep" we understand a heart of compassion, a heart which is touched and in intercession. There can sometimes be tears in pain for anybody in prayer.

The one who has suffered most is Jesus as He hung on the cross for us. Jesus identifies with wounded people. When we cry, He cry. He cares.

In Isaiah 53:4-5 we read, "Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

In Isaiah 53:3 we also understand that Yeshua/Jesus was a "man of sorrows." He suffered so much because of His love for you and I. In His name is salvation.

Sharing Love From Sweden - ISRAEL NEEDS OUR PRAYERS by Eva Haglund

ISRAEL NEEDS OUR PRAYERS

Eva Haglund

Sweden

We hear about terror in Jerusalem. It is  pain in the heart of Israel, Jerusalem and  our hearts can be crushed in tears.

I am thinking of the urgent need to for us to intercede for this precious city, the City of Gold. God wants it to be peace in this city and love to flow like a river among people. He wants  people to be able to walk in the streets in peace.

In Isaiah 62:1 is written, "For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace and for Jerusalem's sake I

will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns."  

We understand here about the importance to keep praying for Israel and Jerusalem. In Isaiah 62:6 we read, "I have set watchmen on your walls, oh Jerusalem. They shall never hold their peace day or night."

Jerusalem is the city where Jesus (Yeshua) will come back. I think it is so important to pray for Jerusalem and Israel. Some can pray more and others less but

every prayer is needed.

I also think that there needs to be tears while in prayer for the city. This is a crushed heart before God in pain for the city. 

When I read from Lamentations 2:18 I know that it is good to pray with tears.When I read "Their heart cried out to the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night, give yourself no relief, give your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches, pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward him."

In Genesis 12:3 is written "I will bless those who bless you." I believe that God gives back if we pray for Israel and bless Israel in other ways.

Israel/ Yisra`el, the country  needs our prayers now and  there are also many Jews who need to make aliyah to Israel. They too need our prayers.

Sharing Love From Sweden - "TOGETHER HAVING THE SAME VALUE - BUILDING A LIVING TEMPLE" - Eva Haglund

TOGETHER HAVING THE SAME VALUE 

- BUILDING A LIVING TEMPLE

Eva Haglund, Sweden

As the members in the human body are connected to each other, and together form a complete body, we need each other in Body of Christ. This is taught in 1 Cor 12. We need each other. Not to just meet on Sunday in a church building.

We do not go to the church - we are the church. The church is not a building. Even if we have a building to meet in, it is good to also meet in homes. We know that Jesus also taught in a home where Martha and Mary lived. We can seek God together along with friends. 

About gifts - we all have our own calling and gifts, unique  as we are. As members in the human body need each other, so we need each other with these unique gifts and callings. It would be boring if all had the same calling and gifts. But God has given us different gifts to build beautifully together. 

Sometimes some gifts are looked down at by people. Sometimes practical gifts are not counted as high as theoretical gifts but this is not as God looks at the gifts and callings. 

As flowers in creation are beautiful together so we are beautiful with our gifts and callings together. Our gifts are not just for a church building but also to be used in other places. In 1 Corinthians 12 we can see that all members are needed with different gifts, and each have the same value. It is written in the verses 15-18, "For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, "I am not a hand therefore I am not of the body, is it not therefore of the body? If the whole body were an eye where would be the hearing?" 

Here we see that all have their unique callings. We need to share our gifts with each other. Even a cup of coffee can encourage, and a smile shared with another. 

David took care of sheep in the Bible. God cared about the sheep and David was taught how to take care of sheep. He also was learning how to know God in a deeper way as he sought Him alone and sang beautiful songs to the Lord. 

Our gifts also can be seen in our friendships. Fellowship is important among Christians and is more than just doing things for God. The most important friendship is with Jesus, but it ought to go hand in hand with friendship among Christians. God is love and that love ought to be seen among us. We need each other.

In Acts 2:46 we understand that there were Christians who lived close to each other and met. I think God wants to restore more of this among us. In church meetings I think we need to hear not just leaders preaching but also other people. For instance, one can share a prophecy, a Scripture, an experience or a dream. In small home meetings this becomes more natural. 

I think gifts are like bread, which we need daily. We have all pieces of bread and together it forms a full loaf. 

The church, the Body of Christ, is also like stones. As it is written in 1 Peter 2:5, "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house." We are different stones, but together we build the temple , with Jesus as the Cornerstone. I think that more of the stones will be connected to each other in the new prophetic time, as the living stones will create a temple of the Lord.

Love is important. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 we read "But now abide faith, hope and love, these three,but the greatest of these is love."

Yeshua (Jesus) is love. He gave all in love for us. We read in Isaiah 53 so that anyone who believes in Him will be saved. Get to know Jesus.

Sharing Love From Sweden - ACCEPTED AND LOVED BY GOD - Eva Haglund

ACCEPTED AND LOVED BY GOD

Eva Haglund, Sweden

Oct. 3, 2015

In Song of Solomon we can read about a relation between a woman and a man in a marriage but also understand about the relation about the Bridegroom Jesus in a relation to His Bride, the congregation - Body of Christ. We can see how He sees us personally. He loves us much greater than we understand. 

In Song of Solomon 4:9 we read: " You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse. You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace." We understand when we read this text that we are so loved by God. He is crushed by his love to us, a very strong love. He really cares about us.

In Psalm 139 we can read that God is with us everywhere. He cares every second. He is thinking at us. If I am in the middle of the sea, He is with me. When it is dark in the night, He is there. He is with me. In Psalm 139:5 it is written, "You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me."

I do not need to think that I am left alone because God is with me. He is my Daddy.

In Psalm 139:13 we understand that God saw us already in our mother's womb. We were planned, thought of and created by the God who loves us. We read, "For you formed my inward parts. You covered me in my mother's womb." In verse 14 it is written that we are 

"fearfully and wonderfully made."

In Song of Solomon is also written, "You are all fair my love, and there is no spot in you."

I think that this means that we are beautiful in His eyes, His Bride. I believe that it means that we are cleansed in Jesus' blood, and there is no spot. His Bride has "white" clothes.

Jesus is crushed by His love for His Bride. We look fine in His eyes. We make mistakes  but are cleansed by His blood. Sanctification is anything else. Jesus wants us to be free from things but His purpose is love.Through faith in Jesus we are saved. When Jesus loves His Bride, the Body of Christ, it is natural that He wants us have a relationship with the first love to Him - in love with God.

Song of Solomon is a good book showing a relationship between the Bride and Bridegroom. It is a close relation between Jesus and the Bride, that of a personal relation.  It is like the woman who was touched at His feet, crying because of His love. It was not a dry theology but a heart who was touched in the relation to Him. It was like a heart with life. A heart to heart relation. Jesus wants to be our Friend, simple and natural. 

In Song of Solomon is written, " Oh, my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and your voice is lovely." Jesus loves when we speak to Him. In Song of Solomon we also see how He looks at His Bride - beautiful words to His Bride and also how the Bride is in love with the Bridegroom. Verses 10-16 begins with "My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousands."

Jesus wants to speak comfort with the inner voice, secrets and also tell us jokes when we listen. He speaks also to us through His Word, the Bible, which can be our daily Bread. Jesus loves all people and was willing to give all for us in deepest pain.

The cross, Jesus sufferings for us, is like a sermon of His love to us personally. The cross is also like a sermon about God's love, our heavenly Daddy's love to the world, willing to give the most precious He had for us. His Son has opened the way for us to have salvation. We could not do it ourselves but needed a Savior.

In John 3:16 is written, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

God is a God who cares about the world. He has shown us the greatest love. 

1 John 4:8 "God is love."

Sharing Love From Sweden - LOVE IN THE CHURCH IS NEEDED - Eva Haglund

LOVE IN THE CHURCH IS NEEDED - Eva Haglund

In the world today we find egoism and lack of love. Also among Christians we can find lack of  love. The church has  sometimes become more of a club than a family as it was meant to b. Some  think the church is a usual building and that we go to church - not that we are the church.  As a temple can be built God also wants this temple of living stones to come together, with Jesus as the cornerstone.

In 1 Corinthians 12 it is written that as in a usual body the members need each other. We need each other with Jesus as the head. We need contact with Christians,  not just in a church building. There needs to be more fellowship and real friendship. Jesus talks about love among Christians in John 15: 12-13 when He says, "This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you." He wants it to be deep friendship among Christians. Jesus also says in John 15: 13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends." He talks here about real friendship among Christians. 

Jesus showed his disciples, His friends, to wash each other's feet. I think it can be a picture of showing care and love to each other, humility as a servant. Jesus gave all for us like a servant in love. He showed the greatest love at Calvary, suffering so much by free will for us. We need friendship with Jesus first. We can understand about having first love for Him in a relationship in the Song of Solomon about  His Bride - the church.

To show love among Christians is like a sermon we can give to the world - that God is love. The world is full of people who need love. Sometimes people who are ill and poor are looked down at even among some Christians. God wants love to flow and that all people are treated with respect and love and seen with the same value.

In John 17:21 Jesus prayed that love will be a testimony to the world. I think it also means  in attitudes and about fellowship, friendship and care. If also Christians stand together as one in an area it is a testimony to the world. Christian cafes can be good when Christians from different Christian backgrounds get together.  Fellowship, care and love also open up for sharing the gospel and caring about people. Talking to people can give opportunities to share the faith.

In John 21 we see that Jesus was eating breakfast with the disciples and had fellowship. In Acts 2:46 the disciples ate in the houses and had fellowship. I think God wants to restore more of this among us. Abraham had a heart of love and care as we see when the angels came in Gen 18. The Bible also talks about hospitality. When Jesus was teaching in a home where Mary was listening at His feet I also think there was fellowship.

We  can read in Rom 9:1-3, "I tell you the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh." We find  here a heart full of love. Sometimes Christians live far from each other but in Acts I do not think people who lived in one area lived so far away from each other. You can have good friends in other parts of the world.  I also think it is good to have close friends where we live . In  Ps 133:1-3  we also read about living close to each other.

It is written, "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious oil upon the head running down the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing, life forevermore."

Even when we go through times of loneliness, as for instance David, God can give back in this area, too. In times of loneliness we can learn to know Jesus better as our first Friend as David and Joseph did. We need  Jesus first but we also need fellowship and love among Christians. I think we are in a new time when God wants to restore more of the love in the church, the spiritual temple, as it was meant to be in preparation of Yeshua/Jesus coming back. We need each other and the world also needs love from Christians.

Sharing Love From Sweden - FREE TO DO THE WILL OF GOD by Eva Haglund

FREE TO DO THE WILL OF GOD

Eva Haglund, Sweden

A bird flies free without anything hindering it. God wants us to fly free like birds without anyone hindering us. We need to be free from control by anybody else. We need to make our own decisions in what we feel peace in and not let other people rule over us who want to control. We must not do what we do not feel peace in. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

There are some people who are very dominant and want to rule over others by controlling them. I am not talking about the usual way of being submitted to leaders you have confidence in but when a person wants to control a person in a wrong way.

There are certain people who want to take over the leadership in a congregation if they are allowed controlled by the spirit of Jezebel. We must not be bound but must say no when it needs said, and not let any one rule over with this spirit.

Christ has called us to freedom. There are certain Christian leaders who do not know the heart of the Father with love and compassion. They have hard hearts and are controlling the members in certain congregations. Some members do not dare leave the congregation or to say no. All leaders do not know God's heart of love and do not have love for the sheep. We need to choose a congregation where the leader/leaders love Jesus and have His love for the people. By their fruit you will know the tree, as Jesus said.

As Christians we also can hear from God. We can get teaching from the Word. We also need good advice from spiritual mothers and fathers in Body of Christ who are mature persons in Body of Christ. I believe there needs to be more spiritual mothers and fathers after God's heart in the Body of Christ. In some congregations there are just young people, but old and young need each other. Jesus says in John 19, "Mother, see your son!" and "Son, see your mother!"

In Proverbs 29:25 is written, "The fear of men brings a snare" but we need to be like eagles who fly high. We all have our unique calling and it is written in Joel 2:8 "They do not push one another.

Everyone marches in his own column."

There are some people who are manipulative and who have egoistic motives. They want to control others. We need to say no when we sense it is wrong. It is more love by saying no because then you can teach that person that this behavior is wrong. It is good to help other people but it needs to be in a right way.

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Parents ought to be the ones who are the ones who decide and not the children who rule over the children. God wants us to have have our freedom in Christ and not let our wings be bound and heavy.
We also need to tell the truth in situations as Paul did to people.

Esther, Stephen and John were also bold and we can learn from them. There are situations when we also need to be quiet as Jesus was in Mark 14:6, where we read that He "kept silent and answered nothing."

In another situation Jesus spoke as in Luke 16:14: "Now the Pharisees who were lovers of money , also heard these things and they derided Him. And He said to them, "You are those who justify themselves before men, but God knows your heart . For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." Jesus told the truth. We can also be bold and say the truth in situations, but it is good to have patience and not be angry and condemn anybody.

In Luke 6: 22 is written, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven. For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets."

We can sometimes get badly treated following God but then the reward is great in heaven. It is good to know when it is tough that God gives back. God is faithful and good to know that Jesus suffered most and suffered this because of His so great love to us.

He gave also His life for all people. We read in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

In Yeshua/Jesus name is salvation.

Sharing Love From Sweden - TO TRUST IN GOD - A GREAT GOD by Eva Haglund

 

TO TRUST IN GOD - A GREAT GOD

Eva Haglund

We can sometimes be in difficult circumstances and in the world there are many storms. It is not good to listen to too much news on television even if we need to know things happening around us. It can be too much information and we need to hear and read positive words also. We need to read the Bible every day - our daily Bread.


In Psalm 46:1-3 is written that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.

I think it means in this Scripture that when it feels like the earth is removed and the mountains carried into the sea, when circumstances are very difficult, it can feel like this, but then God is there and is a refuge and help.

I also think about earthquakes here as I think they will increase, but then God can protect His children. It is good to speak Bible verses as Psalm 91 aloud. God is our Daddy and we can stand on the Word that I shall not want if we have lack economical and in other situations. Our heavenly Daddy is a God of love who gave everything for us and as His children it is written in Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out "ABBA, Father."

We read here that God does not want us to feel fear in the relation with Him. A father who loves his children does not give them stones. We read in the Bible that God wants to fill this need and we need to stand on His promises for the future in this area. He is a good father, ABBA, Daddy who wants to help us. It is also written in Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you nor shall my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has mercy on you." When we receive Jesus in our lives we also have peace with God for eternity.

When things are very difficult it can feel like the mountains depart and the hills are removed but then God is with us and His covenant of peace will not be removed from us. He can help us in difficult situations, even if it feels like a most worst situation. He is able. 

In Isaiah 50:10 we also find the words "Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord. And rely upon his God."

It does not matter what other people say. We can stand on the Word, on Scriptures' promises.
Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. He wants to help us in situations. We can think about a shepherd who loves a sheep and holds it in his arms and then we can think also about Jesus who holds as in His arms. As it is written in Isaiah 40:11, "He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom."

I think we all as His children are each one like a precious lamb He holds in His arms. There we can feel safe that He will take care of us. When we also think about our Daddy who holds us in His arms as a child to Him it gives peace. He can help us in different situations. We read in Psalm 139 how He cares so much about us that He see us all day. Jesus also tell us that we are so precious to Him that He counts our hairs. Jesus gave everything for the sheep at the cross and wants all to get saved and learn to know God as a good Daddy. 

If people talk fear to us we can stand on the Word Who is our Rock when the waves are high. He can help us. In Psalm 93 is written "The floods have lifted up, oh Lord. The floods have lifted up their voice. The floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the voice of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea." There can be circumstances who feel like floods who lift up their voice and like floods who lift up their waves but the Lord is mightier then these circumstances.

When we need to trust the Lord we can not stand on our feelings but at His Word because feelings can say anything else but God's Word is eternal and is steady like the mountains. The Word is strong. It is strong like a fire.

We can trust God's Word. God is behind His Word and Jesus is the Word. We can trust the Word - the Bible. When Jesus was in the boat and the waves were high Jesus showed the disciples that they did not have to be afraid.

It is good we speak what the Word tells us. We will not depend on our feelings even if a situation feels so impossible but Gods Word is greater and there is no situation as he cannot help in. When we think about trusting him it is good to think about how big God is. We have a certain picture of him but we just understand as human beings a little drop of how big he really is. We are like ants before him. Would he not be able to help his children as are like ants in his hand we can think of. In Ps 121 we read " I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth."

If we have doubt or fear in a situation we can think about that God made all things in the nature and He created human beings. It is like a miracle when a child is born. It is wonderful to see all beautiful things in the nature and mighty to see the big mountains and we can see God's power in the waves at the sea and in the thunder.

He is mighty to help. In Proverbs 3:5 is written, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding." We can trust in Him. The nature preaches about His greatness and about a mighty God who is able to do mighty things. We can read about planets and stars as He has created. God is not a human being but much greater and when Jesus died at the cross we also see the power of the cross. 

We read in Isaiah 53:11 that Jesus will see the labor of His work and be satisfied. We can think about how big God is also when we read the Scripture Isaiah 55:8-9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are My ways your ways, says he Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

It is a very long distance between heaven and earth and we can understand a glimpse of how big God is when we think about this. He is such a great God so we cannot understand it as human beings.
Jesus is our light and salvation. It is eternal salvation through His name and also in different situations we can trust in Him. He gives light in our circumstances and is our salvation in situations. Even His name Yeshua/Jesus means salvation. In His name we can have trust.

We also need to endure tests and keep our faith.

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him." James I:12 

Jesus loves all and wants all to get that crown. We are so precious for Him.

Sharing Love From Sweden - HEART FOR THE POOR - Eva Haglund

HEART FOR THE POOR

Eva Haglund

Today there are many people who are poor. There are many who do not have food. Some do not care about the poor and we can find egoism and lack of love. Some look down at the poor. This happens also in some churches.

This is not what God wants. Jesus identifies with the poor. He came as newborn baby unto a stable.  He did not come to a castle or a palace but to a simple stable. He did not just think about Himself. He was a giver and He gave everything, including His life for us at the cross because of His love for us. Jesus has love and compassion.

Jesus took the two bread and the seven fish as the boy gave Him and blessed them. It multiplied and it was a help for many. People were listening to His teaching and then they needed to eat.  We can see here that Jesus also thought about the poor.

He taught a parable in Luke 10 that a man was robbed and was wounded and did not have money, but the Samaritan by showing compassion in his big trouble. Jesus wants us to show compassion and help people. In Philippians 4:10 -14 we read when Paul had lack and Christians helped him. We also read in Acts 3:6 "Silver and gold I do not have but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." He did not have any money here either.

In James 2:1 is written "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Lord of glory with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel and there should also come in a man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place" and say to the poor man, "You stand here or sit at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Sometimes people who are begging and other people who are poor are looked down at. The value of a human being is not in the clothes. Jesus did not look down at the poor. He said in Matt 25:40, "Assuredly I say unto you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it to Me." Here we see that He cares about the poor,too.

Sometimes among Christians there is little care about the poor . Some are not interested in helping them. There can be people sometimes who hardly have any food and people do not think it is important to help. There are other Christians who have a warm heart and have a heart of caring for the poor. In Acts we can see how they cared about each other when some did not have food. We read in Acts 2:44, "Now all who believed were together and had all things in common and sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all as anyone had need." 

I do not think we all need to sell our possessions and divide them but I think that you can understand the heart they had for each other. When anyone was in a need, lacking food, they helped each other. When Christians live closer to each with more fellowship and friendship, it is easier to see if anybody is poor. We read in Acts 2:46 that they had fellowship in houses and shared the bread. It needs to be restored more of this fellowship among Christians. The Bible also teach us to show hospitality. In 1 Peter 4:9 "Be hospitable to each other without grumbling."

To care about the poor we read James 2:15 where it is written, "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one says them "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but you not give them the things which are needed for the body what does it profit?" Our faith ought to be shown in works. Love is to show practical care and love is greatest.

When Jesus was with His disciples near the sea in John 21 He made bread and gave to His friends. He gave them fish as He had prepared and fixed a warm fire when they came from the sea. It could be cold and He talked with them. He showed care and love and shared His bread with others.

Sometimes today there are Christian conferences which cost money but the poor cannot come because they cannot afford it. I think that these conferences ought to be for all, also for the poor. Church is also meant for the poor - not just for them who have enough money. If the poor are welcome to conferences it is also a testimony to relatives around. 

This is agape love and is a testimony to the world. The Gospel is also for the poor and church ought to be a welcoming church for the poor.

I  think about Jesus who had to stay in a stable and was not welcome into a house. There are also prophets who are left out from meetings because they are poor. The heavenly Daddy has a heart of love and compassion and we see in the parable of the lost son His heart of caring and He rushed towards the son. He cares for all people and He cares about the poor.

We read in Matt:14:14, "And when Jesus went out He saw a  great great multitude and He was moved with compassion for them. "He took the five loaves and the two fish as He got from the boy and blessed them, broke the bread and gave them and the fish to the disciples to give it to people. I think He also thought of the poor among the people here. He had a heart for them and cared about them.

There are people who are poor around us and we cannot help all but we can help some if we have anything to give who we meet in our way. We need to share our bread and in Isaiah 58:6 - 8 we read, "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every joke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out, when you see the naked that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then you light shall break forth like the morning. Your healing shall spring forth speedily. And your righteousness shall go before you and. The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."

God also gives back when we help the poor. We can bless also Jews who are poor. Sometimes there also poor Jews in Body of Christ - Messianic Jews. Anyone who blesses Israel God will bless. We read in Genesis 12:3 it is good to bless Israel and the Jewish people.

We need to share our bread and Jesus shared His bread. Jesus also showed the greatest love to us at Calvary.  

In  John 3:16 is written "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Yeshua/Jesus gave His Bread. He gave His life for us because of His love.

Sharing Love From Sweden - FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS - by Eva Haglund

FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS

by Eva Haglund

God is not a God Who want us to just come and ask things from. He is a person, as He wants us to have a relation with. He is not a boring but a wonderful Friend full of love. It is not boring to get to know God and to have Him as a friend. He is also a God who tells jokes in a relation with Him when we are sensitive to hear. It was He who made laughter.

If we are in a period of loneliness we can learn to know God as our Friend. When David was outside with the sheep he learned to know Him as a friend. He was worshiping Him. David took time with God in a relationship. Sometimes worship is not counted so important but the Bible tell us to sing to God. We see that David was worshiping God. 

We read in Acts that Paul and Silas were worshiping in prison. In Psalm 139:3 it is written, "Let them praise His name with dance." We also need dance in a relation with God. Some think that dance to God is just for some but I think it is for anybody and that it also can be strong spiritually and that we need it. We can see already small children moving in dance to music.  David danced to God and so did Miriam. We can do it, too. Sometimes people do not like it but as David experienced it is good to continue. To worship and dance to Jesus has relationship with God. He is in the centrum. We also need the prophetic songs and dance.

Worship I think feels like giving our hearts to God in a relationship. It  is important. We lift God up and He is in centrum when it is from our hearts to Him. It is also good to sing Scriptures and Jesus is also the Word.

With Jesus it is good to know that He is not just a friend who is with me in prayer in the morning or evening but who is with me in the day whom I can talk and listen to. It is good to take time with Him and to learn to know His voice with the inner voice and try to hear things He wants to say. It is easier to learn to know God when we read the Bible constantly. To learn to know Him is to learn to know a God of love and in this relationship He speaks to us in friendship. 

Artwork by James Nesbit

In Song of Solomon we see that the bridegoom's heart was crushed for the bride by his love. In Song of Solomon 4:9, "You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse. You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace." We see here the deep love. This is how Jesus looks at us personally and His Bride - the Body of Christ. His heart is crushed for us.   When He looks at us He also sees no spot in us because His blood cleanses us. 

We read in Song of Solomon 4:7 "You are all fair my love. And there is no spot in you." We are  accepted and loved. Jesus as our Friend has so much love for us and He wants to be a close friend. Sometimes thanksgiving is not considered so important but to thank God is not anything unimportant for Him. In Psalm 100:4 we also read "Enter into His courts with thanksgiving."

If we love Jesus we can imagine He gets glad when we thank Him. We have much to thank Him for. He who suffered so much because of His love for us is worthy our thanksgiving. He suffered much more for us than we can understand. If we have suffered much it is just like a drop of the suffering Jesus suffered for us at Calvary. He did it because He loved us. 

If circumstances are difficult we can always have something to thank God for. We can thank Him for the fact that He suffered so much for us. We can simply thank Him for our being able to walk, or see, or eat, or other things. His grace is forever and He always loves us. We can thank Him for different things. Paul worshiped God when he was in prison. The Bible tells us to make sacrifices of praise. In Heb 13:15 it is written "Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruits of lips that openly profess His name."

When we begin to give thanks to God and when we worship God it is also a help. It is a help in trials. In worship we also can sing thanksgiving to God. When Jesus is our Friend we can talk with Him sitting in a sofa or maybe take a walk and when we are alone and eat we can talk with our Friend Jesus.

Jesus is the Word and the Word is then like our bread. Jesus is the Bread of life, as it says in John 6:35. The Word  is also like water in a desert. We need this clean water. We need to spend time with it and with Jesus in prayer. He also wants to speak with the inner voice. It is important to know in a relationship with Jesus that we are so loved by Him.

We can tell Him that we love Him and thank Him for all His sufferings for us at Calvary. 

Sometimes Christians can be so busy doing things for God but do not think it is so important to take time in a relation with God. If He is our Friend then it so natural that we also take time to talk to and listen to our best Friend. As we need time with friends we need time with Him. He is the most wonderful Friend we can have and it is good to learn to know Him more and more and His Kingdom. 

In Isaiah 45 it is written about hidden treasures. We need MORE of God! To learn to know Him is like digging in a golden mine. Jesus is full of love and He is not boring. What a privilege to learn to know Him as a friend! To talk to Him face to  face like Moses in 2 Exodus 33:11, "So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend." We can have a meeting with Jesus when we read about the woman at Jesus' feet. She was so crushed by His love. She cried and cried. She received Jesus and her sins were forgiven. Her heart was so touched by His love. She wanted to give Jesus a most precious present - precious perfume expressing her love to her Savior . She also gave her life in Jesus' hand.

I am thinking also about Song of Solomon who shows not a dry , intellectual relation to God. When we also think about a relationship as it can be between bride and bridegoom, but also between Jesus the Bridegoom and his Bride the church, when the heart is touched by God's love and it is a relation with the best friend. In Song of Solomon is written about this relation. In verse 6:3 "I am my beloved`s and my beloved is mine." It is talking about a relation where the heart is touched. It is not a relation when you come to Jesus just when you ask for things.

I believe God's love for us is much bigger than we understand. It is a very strong love. His love reaches higher than the stars. Jesus loves to have a relation with us. In Song of Solomon it is written, "Oh, my doe in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” In Song of Solomon we can see much about a relation not just between a usual bride and bridegoom but about the relation with the first love from the Bride to the Bridegoom – from our hearts to Him. To be in love with our Bridegoom Jesus we can then see how He is crushed by His love for the Bride. In Song of Solomon 4:9, ”You have ravished my heart, my my sister, my spouse, you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes,with one link of your necklace.”

Artwork by James Nesbit

We find  that the bride is expressing love to the bridegoom. In Song of Solomon 5:10, "My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousand." She is in love. We can think about the relation to Jesus that we can be in love with Him - the first love from the Bride to the Bridegoom - Jesus our Savior. 

In the book of Ruth we see how Boaz was kind to Ruth and treated her with respect and care when she came as a stranger to a new place looking for a job and watched so she was not badly treated. He also helped her so she got food in Ruth 2:14. When I read this story I think about the heart Jesus has for us. He treats us with love and cares about us. When we read that Boaz cared we can think about how Jesus cares about us in a relation. He showed us the deepest love giving everything for us at Calvary. He loves all people and wants all to receive Him.

In Rev. 3:20 we  read "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." He wants  to become a Friend to people who do not know Him and that all will receive Him. When I read that He wants to come into all and dine with them, I am also thinking about a relationship where we eat with someone to have fellowship with them. 

 Yeshua/Jesus is a wonderful Friend who gave His life for us.