“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 NIV

We are in a battle for our minds. The Reformer Martin Luther is often credited with saying:
“You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair.”

The illustration is meant to help us better fight the battle of our thought life. It reminds us that we cannot prevent dark and evil thoughts from coming our way because we live in a fallen world.

We are bombarded by images that stir up unhealthy desires and thoughts whenever we are online, on social media, watching TV, and so on. The devil can also plant lies in our minds—thoughts that have the power to destroy us. Thoughts that tell us we are ugly, dumb, good for nothing, or losers. Or thoughts fueled by anger that seek revenge, desire to harm someone, or simply want to get back at a group or society that has hurt and rejected us.

The point of Luther's quote is what we do once those thoughts try to settle in our minds.
Do we nurture dark thoughts? Do we entertain evil fantasies, thinking they are harmless because no one is getting hurt and they remain only within the confines of our minds?
We are not victims of the thoughts that come our way. We have a choice. We need to resist all dark thoughts.

As today's verse says, we are to actively "set our minds" on the things of God.

Three practices, in particular, are helpful in doing this:

1. Pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to resist dark thoughts.
2. Crowd out dark thoughts with the things of God by listening to sermons, worship music, meditating on Scripture, and filling your mind with His truth.
3. Speak the Word of God aloud. This is a powerful way to overcome dark thoughts.

Jesus, I want every part of my life to please You, including my thought life. Help me today to set my mind on the things of Your kingdom. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:26 NIV

When faith moves out, peace leaves, and fear moves in. That's what happened to the disciples in the boat on the stormy lake.

Fear is a bully. Fear is an enemy. Fear wants to take the driver's seat, seeking to control your life by telling you what you can and cannot do.

Fear brings chaos. Anyone who has ever been overcome with gut-gripping fear knows how easily we lose our sense of direction. We don't know up from down.

The good news is that Jesus doesn't want your inner being to be caught up in a storm, tossed to and fro by the wind and the waves. He defeated fear for us. Jesus desires to speak a word over us that rebukes fear and restores peace to our lives. That's what Jesus wants for you. He wants your heart to be completely calm.

How do you get to that point? Turn your heart toward Jesus. Ask Him to set you free from fear, and then spend time in His presence. That has worked for me every time fear has tried to grip my heart and take over.

Sometimes Jesus speaks a word of freedom quickly. At other times, I need to spend more time waiting in His presence. But Jesus never fails. He will not leave you to face fear on your own.

Jesus, I thank You that You defeated fear for me. Speak a word of freedom over my life so that I don't have to fear. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and making my heart completely calm. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

"Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish." Isaiah 46:10 NLT

Life is full of waiting for answers that will affect our future.

You or a loved one may have taken a medical exam, and you are anxiously waiting to hear what the doctors will say. Or, as a student, you are waiting for the results of a test. Or you're waiting to hear back about a mortgage application or a job application. Or you're waiting for your boyfriend or girlfriend to answer whether they want to marry you.

Waiting in uncertainty isn't fun and can drain our energy and joy. In such times, we need to remind ourselves that we are not doing life alone—God is with us in the waiting. He might be quiet, but He is present.

But more than present, God is already in our future!

So, no matter what the answer may be, we can rest in faith because God is never taken by surprise—not even by a bad report.

The Holy Spirit has already worked out a solution to whatever problem we will face.

So, take a deep belly breath and say, "Lord, I trust You. You are in my future, and whatever happens, I know that You are in control and have a plan, and You will never let me down."

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” Luke 12:2 NIV

D. L. Moody is often credited with saying, “Character is what you are in the dark.” How we act in the privacy of our home, what thoughts and fantasies we nurture in our minds, and what feelings we harbor deep inside our soul—all of that makes us who we are.

We can smile and look sanctified on the outside, as though we have it all together and are walking closely with God. Yet on the inside, we are far from Him. At the end of the day, only I know the true state of my heart.

Yet we need to take Jesus' warning in today's verse seriously. We might think we are getting away with it, but at some point, who we truly are will come to light—whether on this side of eternity or, at the latest, when Jesus returns.

Though this might not be the most encouraging message to start off your day, it is a very important reminder. Think of it as the fiber in a healthy breakfast—not the most exciting part, but essential for your health.

Let's decide today to keep working on our character, not to give up the fight against sin, and to resist giving in to the temptations of the flesh.

The good news is that we are not alone in this struggle; the power of the Holy Spirit is just a prayer away, and He is ready to help us grow into Christlikeness.

Holy Spirit, I ask You to come and help me fight the temptations I'm facing today. Shape me into the likeness of Jesus so that even my hidden life reflects His character. Amen

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.” Isaiah 44:21b NIV

By Emelie Stenhammar, MD

When I was 8 years old, my father took me to SeaWorld in Florida. I thought it was the most amazing experience ever. For several years after that, if anyone asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, my answer was always the same: a killer whale caretaker. Eventually, that dream faded.

Last week, 40 years later, we were visiting another SeaWorld park, and during the killer whale show, I was chosen from hundreds and hundreds of spectators to interact with the gigantic animals. It was really cool! I got soaked!

But more than that, to me it was a sweet gift from God. I didn't need that. I had moved on and had almost forgotten. But God had not.

He remembered the little version of me standing in awe of those great animals. He saw me then, and He sees me now. He sees all of us. He knows us. And He remembers.

Even if your mother forgets all about you—which is unlikely—God will not. He cares about us, even about the seemingly small details of our lives. Can you imagine? He has even counted the hairs on your head.

You might not be important to anyone else. No one else might remember or care about your dreams and wishes. But the One who really matters remembers. He cares.

So don't listen to the lies from the devil whispering that you are forgotten or that no one cares about you. Instead, think about this incredible reality: the God who created the universe (and the killer whales) knows your name. He cares deeply about you and even remembers your childhood dreams.

Jesus, help me realize that You care about me and that You even remember the tiny details of my life that others might forget. You truly see me. Let that realization change the way I see myself and the way I live my life. Amen.

"God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

I remember, as a young man, listening to a renowned preacher who had traveled all over the world, preaching the gospel to hundreds of thousands of people. As I listened to him, I found myself wishing I could do great things for God too.

Have you ever looked at a Christian who has sacrificed much and is being mightily used by God and also wished you could do the same?

It's easy to think that being a faithful follower of Jesus is all about what we accomplish. Often, when we hear that God has a calling on our lives, we immediately think about doing things. There's certainly a place for that, but today's verse reminds us of our greatest calling—to fellowship with Jesus.

Our highest calling is to know the Lord. The beauty of knowing Jesus is that it doesn't matter what your talents or gifts are, whether you are young, middle-aged, or elderly, whether you are strong or weak, your IQ, your level of success in life, or any of the other things this fallen world uses to measure our value, importance, and significance. You are invited to know Him because He loves you—because of God's grace, His unearned love and favor.

As with every calling, the questions are: First, have I recognized that I am called? And second, have I responded?

My prayer is that you will embrace God's call to know Jesus and make fellowship with Him your highest priority today.

Lord Jesus, I want to know You better. Holy Spirit, help me make fellowship with Jesus my highest priority today. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17 NIV

I vividly remember waking up in the middle of the night while we were serving in Africa. Something was happening neaby. Shattered glass. Shouting. Chaos. We immediately knew something was wrong. It wasn't peaceful. We prayed, and the presence of God filled the room to the point that Emelie and I knew we would be okay no matter what happened and we could go back to sleep. The next morning, we discovered that a large group of robbers had ransacked the house next door.

In today's passage, Elisha's prophetic insight had made the hostile Aramean king angry, so he sent an army to capture him. When Elisha's servant saw the army, he ran to warn the prophet. But Elisha responded:

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16).

Yet Elisha did more than comfort his servant with words. He prayed that God would open his eyes to see the Lord's protective army.

Today, as you serve the Lord, you too can know that God's army is with you. Like Elisha's servant, you may sometimes feel alone in the battle, but that's only a feeling. With the eyes of your heart, you can catch a glimpse of God's power, and His presence will fill you with peace and strength. It all starts with prayer.

Father, I pray that You will give me peace in the midst of the battle. Open my eyes to see that You are with me and that Your power is greater than every enemy I face today. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” Matthew 18:7 NKJV

If you are not offended right now, get ready—you will soon have an opportunity to be offended. I don't need a prophetic word to predict that!

There are many of Jesus' words that I love and have highlighted in my Bible, but today's verse is not one of them, especially the phrase "Offenses must come." But it's true. Jesus doesn't just tell us what we want to hear; He tells us what we need to hear.

What Jesus is warning us about is more than the feelings of frustration and resentment we experience when someone cuts us off in traffic, when a customer service representative has a bad attitude toward us, or when we get ghosted on social media. Those experiences are real, and we need to bring them to Jesus.

The offenses Jesus is especially speaking about are the traps that cause us to fall into sin, break covenant with God, and become unfaithful to Him.

It seems that different temptations affect different people depending on our personality, background, longings, and desires. One way we can prepare for the offenses Jesus warned us would come is by getting to know ourselves and recognizing our weak areas.

Think about this: Where do you need to be especially careful?

If you don't know, ask God to reveal the areas where you need to be most on guard, and then strengthen those areas.

How? By spending time in God's Word and prayer and by seeking counsel and encouragement from a trusted brother or sister in Christ.

Jesus, I pray that You would strengthen me for the battle. Show me the areas where I need to be alert and grow, and help me not be caught by surprise. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 1 Samuel 1:18 NIV

Today's verse tells the story of Hannah praying at God's tabernacle. Hannah was burdened by the fact that she was childless—to the point that she could no longer eat.

But Hannah knew where to go. She went to the tabernacle of the Lord and prayed, pouring out her heart before Him. After an encounter with God and a word from Him spoken through the priest Eli, Hannah went away completely changed.

She could eat again, and her face was no longer downcast! Her worry was exchanged for peace by the God who saw her and loved her. While she did not receive her child at that very moment, her encounter with God's presence and the word He spoke gave her strength and renewed her faith.

Whenever we have a need or a burden, we should follow Hannah's example and bring it to the Lord, and He will meet us there (see also Philippians 4:6–7). When we trust in God and His promises, the peace of God will follow, and we will no longer be burdened. We will walk away different from the way we came.

An encounter with God transforms us. Like Hannah, who had to wait nine months, we may not always see an immediate answer to prayer. But submitting ourselves and our burdens to Him and trusting that He is in control is enough.

A meeting with Jesus can turn chaos into peace and darkness into light. Let us seek that encounter today!

Lord Jesus, I come before You now. I bring You all my burdens and worries. I trust that You can handle them and that You hold all things in Your hands. I long to be in Your presence and to hear Your voice. Will You meet me here? Amen.

A post by Josephine Stenhammar

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 NIV

Early in my walk with Jesus, I had to learn to let go of every desire to control or predict what He was going to do. I learned that faith spells R-I-S-K.

By risk, I don't mean doing reckless things—like ignoring symptoms in your body, riding your motorcycle without a helmet, quitting your job, and then sitting at home waiting for provisions to simply drop down from heaven.

By risk, I mean total surrender to God's will, accepting that the Spirit moves where He pleases. It is not for me to demand to know the end from the beginning, nor to control or predict the outcome. Accepting risk takes faith—a commitment of love and trust in God.

It means laying down my own life, my needs, my goals, and my ambitions, and allowing God's kingdom to become my highest priority. So often, our desire for control stems from fear that our needs and goals will not be met unless we stay on top of everything and direct the course of our lives.

But if we truly believe that God is our Father, who is constantly watching over us, and that our need is His care, then we can let go of control.

Father, help me today to resist my desire to control and instead trust that You have everything in Your hands and that You are at work. Forgive me when I fret, fear, and try to accomplish things in my own strength instead of depending on Your Spirit. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT

It is often said, “If you want to know whether you are a leader, look behind you. Is anyone following?”

God has called each of us to raise up followers of Jesus. But that does not begin by looking for people whom we can lead. It begins by living a life radically centered on Jesus, where He is our true north—the fixed point that gives us meaning and direction.
Are we living such a Jesus-centered life that we are ready to be as bold as Paul and say, “Imitate me”?

That does not mean you have to be perfect. No one is perfect apart from the Lord. Rather, it means that with every fiber of our being, we press into Jesus, fighting sin and temptation and intentionally growing in the areas of our lives that do not reflect Him.

Sometimes we think we have to know everything before we can help someone else. We think we must have memorized the Bible in Greek and Hebrew and have visions of angels every night. No! It begins by giving away what God has already given you. Right now, you have something from God that someone else does not have.

Simply ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone who needs what you have, and then share that. It can be an insight in the Word of God, a lifehack that God has taught you, a monetary gift, time to listen, or anything else.

When giving away what God has given you becomes a habit, and then you look behind you, there will be people following you—not just you, but the same Jesus that you are following.

Lord, I acknowledge Your call on my life to raise up followers of You. Help me to imitate You and to resist the fear that hold me back. Lead me to someone today who needs what You have already given me. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.” Jeremiah 31:9 NKJV

There was an elderly man of God in one of the churches I pastored who often referred to today's text by saying, "God leads as we go praying." He had grasped the connection between action, prayer, and being led by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer means that we tune our hearts to God. It's like tuning a radio to receive a station's signal. Sometimes it happens quickly, and the signal comes through loud and clear. Other times, it takes a while before you find it.

Prayer is the language of those who know they are dependent on God for everything. Only fools think they can do life on their own. I use the word fool not as an insult, but in the biblical sense of denying God (see Psalm 14:1).

There is no lasting fruit without prayer. We can run around, stay busy, and do many things, and for a while it may seem as though we've accomplished a lot. But over time, if our lives are not built on God's will, the foundation will begin to crack, and things will start to fall apart. It may be our relationships, our careers, our emotional health, or our finances. Every area of our lives needs to be soaked in prayer, continually asking God for discernment and direction.

Father, I turn to You today. Show me Your will in every area of my life so that I may please You and bear fruit for Your glory. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’” Colossians 4:17 NIV

I played soccer as a kid. Our team wasn’t that great, and I remember our coach often encouraging us to keep at it, even when we were down by several goals. I don’t remember whether the coach ever used the common phrase, “It’s not how you start but how you finish,” but that was the gist of it.

That’s not just true in sports; it’s also true in our walk with God. We can start strong or weak, but what matters is whether we finish well.

There is a man in Scripture named Archippus. We don’t know much about him, but one thing we do know is that Paul calls him “our fellow soldier” (Philemon v.2). For some unknown reason, he began to slack off in the fight and wasn’t fulfilling his divine assignment. He needed encouragement to finish strong.

How does that apply to us?

First, Do you know your divine assignment?

Second, are you today in the process of completing it?

My prayer is that you will be able to answer an honest “yes” to both questions:

“Yes, I know what the Lord has called me to do.” If not, I would stop everything else I was doing and seek the Lord until I found out. You are alive for a reason. God has a part for you to play in carrying out His plan of salvation for the world.

“Yes, my life is dedicated to being obedient and persistent to the very end.” If the enemy or your own flesh has discouraged you or hindered you from fulfilling your calling, I encourage you to get back to it. Ask the Lord for renewed focus and a new anointing.  

Jesus, thank You for saving me and making me a part of Your kingdom. Help me to know and remain faithful to the assignment You have for me, all by Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 NIV

As Emelie and I have served the Lord in churches in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, we have come to see that we can learn different things from different cultures. When pastoring a church made up primarily of people from India, we learned what true hospitality means. The church members would almost fight over who could host the guests, provide food, and help in any way possible. We realized that we needed to learn to be more hospitable.

In our Western world, which is so individualistic—focusing on me, myself, and I—hospitality is almost a lost art. Many of us need the reminder to "not forget to show hospitality."

Hospitality means opening your heart and your resources to others—to let people enter your world and to share what you have with them.

Why is that so important? Because that is exactly what God has done for us.

Our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is hospitable. God makes room for us and pours His life and blessings into us. If there is one thing we have encountered in God, it is a generous and open welcome.

So how can we imitate God and also practice hospitality? There are no set rules, but opening your home is a good start.

Pray about whether there is someone you should invite over this week for coffee or dinner. When you do, you will sense God's smile over your life.

Father, thank You for making room for me. I pray that You help me to be hospitable. Holy Spirit, lead me to the people You want me to reach out to. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.” — 2 Samuel 11:1 NIV

Have you ever felt like just tapping out of the fight? It's easy to get tired and worn down by the spiritual battle we're in. The devil is constantly bombarding us with temptation, discouragement, and fear, and that takes energy.

King David must have grown weary of all the battles, and that is probably why he stayed back in Jerusalem and sent his most trusted warriors to do the fighting for him. The Bible says that during "the time when kings go off to war," David didn't. Instead, he remained in the comfort and safety of his royal palace.

If you keep reading, you'll find that it was during that time that he was tempted and fell into sin with Bathsheba. When he stepped out of the fight, temptation overcame him.

At some point, we, like David, will be tempted to retreat into the comfort and safety of our own private space and let others do the praying and the fighting. But let's not do that. When we pull back, we become vulnerable to the enemy's traps and to our own sinful desires.

Don't pull back. Stay in the fight.

If you're experiencing battle fatigue, ask friends to pray over you and ask God to renew your strength.

Jesus, I ask You to fill me with fresh strength for the battle. Help me not to give up, but to stay in the fight. Protect me from the enemy's traps and temptations. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.” John 5:7a (NIV)

Have you ever been in a place where you felt that nobody understood and nobody could help? Life can bring us to places where we identify with the invalid man who said, "I have no one to help me."

People often disappoint us. Sometimes they have good intentions but lack the power or ability to change our circumstances. Other times they fail to keep their promises or show up when we need them the most.

The feelings of abandonment are real, and the suffering is hard. But in the midst of it all, we must remember that this is not the whole story. There is a greater reality: you have Someone. And that Someone isn’t just anyone—it is Jesus who is there to help.

It is ironic that the lame man said these words to the very One who was his answer—he just didn't know it.

Today, if you feel alone, vulnerable, and without hope, look to Jesus. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you, and He has the power to do something about your situation. Trust Him. He will not fail you, even when people do.

Jesus, I choose to look beyond my disappointments and pain to You. Though I feel alone and vulnerable, I know that You have promised to be with me, and I trust You to bring me to the other side of what I am facing right now. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.”— 2 Timothy 4:13 NIV

I never liked studying. I even managed to graduate from high school without reading a single book from cover to cover. But that all changed when I realized that studying God's Word is one of the primary ways we come to know God more deeply.

The apostle Paul experienced some of the most amazing supernatural events imaginable. God used him to raise the dead, perform miracles, preach to multitudes, cast out demons, be miraculously released from prison, boldly confront kings, and even receive visions of Jesus and heaven. Yet despite all those incredible experiences, at the end of his life he was still a student. While sitting in prison, he asked Timothy to bring him his books—his scrolls and parchments—so he could continue studying.

That tells us that no spiritual experience can substitute for a life devoted to studying God's Word. In fact, I would go even further and say that Paul's lifelong commitment to studying Scripture laid the foundation for God to use him so powerfully.

Some of the most life-changing encounters I have had with the Lord have come during seasons of deep study of the Bible and theology.

Remember, studying God isn't like studying math, where the goal is simply to master facts. In the kingdom of God, studying is about relationship. It is about pursuing God, not just accumulating information.

If you haven't made studying a priority, I encourage you to start today. Set aside time to read God's Word and a good Christian book that strengthens your faith. If reading is difficult for you, audiobooks are an excellent resource.

Holy Spirit, help me develop a habit of studying Your Word. Lead me to resources that will strengthen my faith and help me go deeper in You.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

"So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground." Matthew 25:25a NIV

I was a mama's boy and never liked being away from my family. One summer during middle school, I went to a Boy Scout camp. After just a couple of days, I got one of the leaders to drive me back home because I was so homesick. So when I sensed as a teenager that God was calling me to be a missionary in other countries, I had to make a choice: trust God and step out of my comfort zone.

God has given each of us unique gifts and talents that are meant to bless the world and expand the kingdom of God. Yet one temptation is, like the man in Jesus' parable in today's verse, to hide God's gift instead of putting it to use.

This is particularly true when the gift God has given us requires us to make new career choices, step out of the places where we feel safe, or puts us in situations that feel awkward because of our personalities.

It is easy for an introvert to hide a gift for public speaking or leadership. An extrovert may be especially tempted to neglect intercession in the quiet of their personal prayer closet.

Jesus is coming back, and one day we will be asked what we have done with the gifts He placed in our lives. So I encourage you to take inventory of your life: What gifts has the Lord placed in your life? If you are unsure, make that a prayer point and ask Him to show you.

Once you know, the second question is: Are you putting God's gifts to use? If not, ask the Lord for forgiveness and pray that He will give you the strength to change.

Father, thank You for giving me gifts. I pray that You will reveal them to me and give me the strength and courage to put them into practice—all for Your glory and the expansion of Your kingdom. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

"I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’” Genesis 14:23 NLT

In Bible college, I had a teacher who asked the whole class to look at the person next to them, smile, and say, "No." He said one of the most important skills a leader can learn is how to say no with a smile.

While serving as missionaries in Africa, we were often in desperate need of money. One time, someone contacted us and asked for our bank account information so they could send us a gift. Emelie and I prayed about it, and we sensed God telling us to say no—with a smiley face (it was an email).

The reason was that we knew the gift came with strings attached—expectations we didn't want to be controlled by. We had learned from previous experiences that what looks like generosity can sometimes be an invitation into a power game, where the giver uses their gifts to gain influence or control.

There are times to say "yes" and times to say "no" to gifts. It's important to pray about everything and not assume that every open door or opportunity is from God.

Abraham is the father of faith, and we learn from him how to walk with God. He refused the gifts offered by the king because he knew accepting them would diminish the glory that belonged to God alone.

Saying "no" is sometimes very difficult, especially when you genuinely need what is being offered. It takes faith to trust God enough to decline something that seems like the answer. But remember: nothing you sacrifice for the Lord is ever wasted. In His time, He will bless your obedience in ways that far outweigh what you gave up.

Father, help me discern which gifts are from You and which are temptations. Give me the wisdom and courage to say no with a smile and to trust You with the outcome.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” Acts 5:41-42 NIV
 
A post by Josephine Stenhammar

Following Jesus means suffering will come.

God is filling us with the Holy Spirit and empowering us to live in this world and to love the people in it. However, this world is fallen, and sin still reigns. When we shine and carry the life of God, darkness will not appreciate it. We will face persecution, and we will suffer for Jesus.

The apostles were put in prison and flogged because of Jesus. What was their reaction? They rejoiced because they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Their lives and their love were so devoted to Jesus that he was all that mattered to them.

When we place all our lives on the altar and truly devote ourselves to God, suffering for Jesus becomes an honor and trials something in which we find joy (James 1:2-4). And, as we see in Acts, the apostles’ hardships did not hinder them from continuing to preach and spread the gospel.

When we go through hardship, we should not fall into the temptation of stopping the work of God and sitting in a corner feeling sorry for ourselves; instead, through the strength of the Spirit, we should rejoice and continue to eagerly serve the Lord.

So let us continue to follow Jesus, no matter the cost, because we know that when people hate us, exclude us, insult us, and reject our names as evil because of Jesus, then we have reason to leap for joy, because we are blessed and our reward in heaven is great (Luke 6:22).
 
Lord Jesus, I love you. Thank you for loving me even when it cost you all. I want to give you everything, all my life. I want to follow you no matter the cost. Help me to rejoice amid suffering and persecution. May all my life bring you glory. Amen

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

I will never forget the first time I came to America. I was 19 years old and about to start Bible college. My life was changed—not only through learning God’s Word, but also through being with wonderful Americans who taught me so many important things. My deep gratefulness leads me to pray.

As God’s people, we serve as priests, and part of that calling is to bring America before God in prayer.

But just as the priests in the Old Testament first had to be cleansed before serving before God, so we as God’s people must begin with repentance—ensuring that our lives are aligned with the will of God and that the sinful ways of a fallen world have no foothold in us.

Our prayer is for God to have mercy, pour out His Holy Spirit, and heal the land.

Yet sometimes praying in a more focused way can feel difficult. It can be helpful to direct our prayers toward seven key areas of society and that the kingdom of God will manifest in each:

1. Church – Churches, faith communities, beliefs, and a biblical worldview.
2. Government – Laws, politics, courts, public policy, and how the nation is governed.
3. Education – Schools, universities, curriculum, and how truth and knowledge are taught.
4. Media – News, social media, journalism, film, and how information and narratives are shaped.
5. Family – Marriage, parenting, home life, and the formation of values across generations.
6. Arts & Entertainment – Music, film, sports, culture, and creative expression that shapes imagination and values.
7. Business – Workplaces, finance, trade, entrepreneurship, and economic systems.

Father we thank you for America and we pray that you will sanctify your people and heal the land. Amen.
 
Pastor Mikael Stenahmmar, PhD

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15 NIV

I remember very vividly coming out of soccer practice in middle school and realizing that the van I had come with was no longer in the parking lot. My friend’s father, who had taken a group of us to practice, had taken all the other boys back but forgotten me. I felt deserted. Another family showed me mercy, and I arrived safely home.

We can all reach seasons in life when we feel forgotten. It could be a birthday or anniversary, and someone important to us forgets. Or we may have worked really hard, but our boss fails to give us the credit we deserve. We get ghosted on social media. We may be in the hospital and no one comes to visit us, or we retire and our phone stops ringing as we slowly fade into oblivion. Or a parent or spouse abandons us, leaving us to face life alone.

Worst of all is when we sense that God is silent, that our prayers aren’t being answered, and we don’t experience the closeness of God as we once did. Then the devil is quick to lie to us and say, “God has forgotten you. He has much more important things to do than to care about you.”

Those are the times when you need to stand strong on God’s Word. As today’s Scripture says, even though people around us may disappoint and forget us, God will never forget us!

Don’t look to your feelings to check whether God is with you or not. They are unreliable. Lean on God’s Word, which promises us that He will be with us to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20).

Say it out loud: “Never forgotten!”

It helps to look into the mirror, point to yourself, and say it. Let those words sink into your spirit and shape your worldview.

Thank you, Father, that You never forget me. Open my eyes to recognize Your presence in my life and help me to overcome any sense of abandonment.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 NIV

The first paycheck I ever received was for packing orders in a shoe warehouse during evenings and weekends while I was in high school. It was hard work. I remember when my first paycheck came in the mail, I couldn't believe how small the amount was. After taxes were taken out (and Sweden has very high taxes!), I felt the work wasn't worth it.

God is altogether different from a boss who underpays. God takes pleasure in giving. The Father gave up His Son for us—the most precious gift He could ever give. As if that weren't enough, with Jesus, the Father graciously gives us all things! God wants to give us everything: "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Ps. 84:11).

Why this mind-blowing generosity? The answer is found in the verse. It all comes down to grace.

Grace is a word we often hear in church, but we don't always understand what it means. A simple way to remember it is the acronym: God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

Think about that. Through the gift of Jesus, you have access to every gift. Jesus paid the price for our salvation and eternal life. Even more than that, in Christ we are brought into the fullness of God's life and blessings. And it is all a gift. There are no strings attached, no hidden fine print that you'll discover later, and what you receive will always be far more than you ever expected—all of God's riches. In other words, God overpays even when we haven’t worked at all.

Father, thank you for your love and generosity and for giving me Jesus. Give me a deeper revelation of your grace today.

"Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1 NLT

Fear is a bully—it wants to set the limits for our lives and decide what we can and cannot do.

Fear is an enemy. If we give in to fear, we will never fulfill God’s assignment for our lives.

We tend to speak our fears and make choices based on what we are afraid could happen.
But Jesus doesn’t want us to be ruled by fear. Jesus came to set us free from fear.

Faith is the antidote to fear. Trusting God doesn’t mean we will never feel fear, but it does mean that we look beyond our fear to God and His Word. We don’t deny what we experience, but in the midst of trouble, we choose to trust God.

We have to choose not to let fear take our hearts captive and instead turn to Jesus. All it takes is telling the Lord, “I trust You,” and then acting accordingly. Instead of putting our fear into words and actions, we let our faith in Jesus shape our words, thoughts, and actions.
Fear wants to rule and ruin your life. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can choose today not to let fear bully you.

Tell fear: “Fear, I will not let you run my life. I resist you in Jesus’ name.”

Tell Jesus: “I decide to trust You today. I know You will come through for me.”

Now listen to the song Trust You by 7 Hills Worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpkiZZ4Z0bw

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32

Our greatest enemy isn’t Satan; it is ourselves. Our fallen nature is constantly working against the will of God in our lives.

We need to grow in self-control in our walk with the Lord so that we don’t give in to every impulse we have and simply let our fallen nature take over.

We can do great things—even take a city—but if we lack self-control, sooner or later we will stumble and fall.

Self-control takes practice. It is about saying “no” to the desires of our fallen flesh. We practice speaking only words that edify and refuse to speak words of bitterness, anger, or hate. We practice resisting evil and lustful thoughts and not letting them find a home in our minds. It also applies to our work lives: we need self-control so that we neither overwork nor become lazy and idle.

I encourage you to identify areas in your life where you need to exercise more self-control. Be honest with yourself. It also helps to talk to a Christian friend about those areas so they can pray with you. Growth starts there.

We can’t control our fallen flesh in our own strength. We need God’s help.

Developing habits of daily prayer, Bible reading, and financial generosity are great ways to practice self-control. These practices open our lives more fully to the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is only through Him that we can truly gain self-control.

Father, forgive me when I lack self-control and let my fallen nature take over. Holy Spirit, help me develop self-control so that You can shape me more into the likeness of Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD