”Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3 NIV

I heard a story about a missionary couple who served in a very dangerous country that had a lot of gang violence. God used them to lead the son of a gang boss to the Lord. That didn’t make the gang dad happy. One day, some of the goons knocked on the couple’s door and told them that they would kill them unless they went back home. To which they replied, “You cannot threaten a Christian with thoughts of heaven.”

When our hope is anchored in God and in our coming resurrection, fear will lose its power over us. Because ultimately, fear is driven by death.

What comes through very powerfully in today’s text is that David could be bold in the face of the most dangerous and threatening situations of war and violence, not in his own strength but because he knew his God. The psalm begins:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

Why don’t you declare that out loud right now? Remind yourself of who the Lord is, and because of Him, no fear will lord it over you.

Father, I thank You that You defeated death for me. Today, I will not fear, no matter what comes at me, because You are my light, my salvation, and my stronghold. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.” Acts 1:1 NIV

In one of the churches where we served as pastors, there was an elder who, every time God moved, would come up to me and say, “Acts 29,” and then walk away. For those who are unfamiliar with the Book of Acts, that probably doesn’t say much. But the book actually has only 28 chapters, and that final chapter doesn’t bring the book to any real closure. It kind of just leaves us hanging. So what he—and others who use the same expression—means by saying “Acts 29” is that we are now part of writing the continuation of the story of Acts.

Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts, begins Acts by saying that in his Gospel he wrote about what Jesus began to do and teach. In Acts, we see Jesus continuing to do and teach through His people, the church.

How does this apply to you and me?

It means that we are part of continuing Jesus’ actions and words in the world. We are the hands and mouth of Jesus, so to speak.

Jesus doesn’t look for perfect people; He looks for those who are willing and available. When you make yourself available to Him, He will anoint you with the power of the Holy Spirit and use you to write the continuation of the book of Acts. That is our greatest calling as His people.

Jesus, here I am. I want to be used by You today so that Your actions and words can continue to go out into the world. Anoint me with Your Spirit and lead me to people that need You. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.” Luke 9:16 NIV

I will never forget when Emelie and I sat around the kitchen table at the start of a new school year just a few years ago and said that unless the Lord performed a miracle, our finances would totally crash before Christmas. We had taken steps of faith that had brought us to a point where we desperately needed God’s intervention. We prayed, and faith filled our hearts. Somehow, we knew God was going to save us.

Less than a week later, we got an email that changed everything. Out of nowhere, the university where Emelie was studying had received a chunk of money and gave her a scholarship. God had saved us!

In today’s famous text, Jesus multiplies the bread and fish to feed the multitude. That tells us that Jesus is more than the Savior of our sins; He is also the provider of our financial needs.

God has all power to meet every need we have. Many times, He will use ways that look very natural, but other times, He will perform supernatural miracles. Exactly how He is going to supply is not for us to decide. We just put our faith in Him.

If you have financial worries today, cast them on the Lord. Look to Him for all your needs. He is faithful. He will provide for you, as He has done for Emelie and me so many times.

Jesus, thank You for caring for me and my material needs. I trust You to provide everything I need so that I can serve You. Set me free from financial worry and fill me with peace. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT

It is easy to feel frustrated after praying for something and not seeing any direct change. Many times, when we pray for someone or something, things can at first take a turn for the worse, and it can look even darker than before we prayed.

Jesus encouraged us to keep at it. Walking with God is a test of perseverance, and a fruitful prayer life is one of continuity—not giving up, but keeping on praying. No prayer is wasted. No time we have spent seeking the Lord is ever in vain.

Corrie ten Boom (if you don’t know who she was, take a moment and Google her life story, it will bless you!) once asked, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”

It is a good question to check what role prayer plays in our lives. Persistent prayer should be what guides us, not our circumstances.

I encourage you today to keep praying. You might not see any changes right now, or things might look worse, but follow today’s verse and don’t give up. God will come through for you. The test will turn into a testimony. How? We don’t know, but with God, nothing is impossible.

Father, I thank You that You invite me to talk to You and share my life with You. Holy Spirit, give me the strength to continue to pray and not give up until I see Your answer.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here… They have been a wonderful encouragement to me.” 1 Corinthians 16:17–18a NLT

Have you ever been down and didn’t know how to get back to a mental state of peace and hope, but after spending some time with good company, you realized that those dark clouds had disappeared? The apostle Paul knew what that was like, as today’s text shows.
Perhaps you have prayed for God to provide financially, hoping for a supernatural answer, only to discover that He provided through what looked completely ordinary.

By the time Paul wrote today’s text, he had had direct encounters with Jesus, had been taken to heaven, had visions, seen amazing miracles, and witnessed God’s supernatural power.

Yet at this moment when he needed encouragement, God didn’t give him another vision or a miracle—He sent people. God worked through what looked completely ordinary.
Paul’s experience shows us that no matter how spiritual we are, how close walk we have with God, we still need one another.

Today, let us be open to God using others in our lives as His vessels to bring encouragement and help. But let us also be open to being people whom God can use to bring life and hope to others. All for the good of people and for the glory of God.

Holy Spirit, open my eyes today to see how You are using others around me to bless and encourage me and help me to return the praises to You. And lead me to be a blessing to others around me. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” Matthew 5:6 The Message

There is always more of God for us to have. Our walk with God is meant to move us deeper and deeper into His presence. God never says, “Stop, no further,” in our pursuit of Him.
Rather, He beckons us by the Holy Spirit to press on, to continue our quest for more of Him.

Sometimes, like a good parent, Jesus will take a step back so that a small child will walk toward Him. But even in those moments when we might not sense the closeness of the Lord as we are used to, that is just another invitation to draw closer—to set our eyes on Him and move toward a fresh encounter.

One of our biggest enemies is the desire settle, to think to ourselves that we have reached a comfortable and pleasant place in God and are no longer hungry for more.

Today’s paraphrase of Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes captures the important truth that having “a good appetite for God” is what we are after. Anything that goes contrary to this, that fights against our appetite for God, is something we must resist.

Our hunger for God is a gift from God, so we will guard it fiercely.

Father, I want to continue to hunger for more of You. Reveal to me areas in my life that work against my pursuit of You, and give me the strength to change. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” Acts 5:29 NIV

Had Emelie and I let what others thought we should or shouldn’t do govern our lives, we would have missed the will of God. In fact, we would not even have gotten married, since some of Emelie’s friends thought that I wasn’t a suitable match for her—but thankfully, God knew better!

In our walk with Jesus, we will come to places where the expectations of the people around us run contrary to what we sense is the leading of the Holy Spirit. Those times are not easy, but they are a test of who has the final say in our decisions and of what we are building our lives upon—the will of God or the opinions of people.

For many of us, it is a temptation to choose the road of least resistance, to follow the crowd, and not to upset those around us. Yet when you study the people of faith in the Bible, you see that God often called them to walk the road of greatest resistance, to go contrary to the majority, and often at the cost of upsetting some people.

It is not that we want to see people upset or get energy from causing conflict—which some actually do. Instead of causing conflict, we are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). But at the end of the day, it comes down to where our ultimate loyalty lies. And at the end of the day, obeying God will bring blessings not just to you but to others too, even those who initially disagreed.

Father, I pray that you help me stay loyal to you today. Help me discern your will and give me the courage to act on it, no matter what people say or think. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

Guest post by Colleen Kumar, Impact India
 
Did you know that your life has a Holy Purpose?

God has a divine plan and a purpose for each and every one of us.

Ephesians 1:18 describes Paul saying to the church in Ephesus, “that you may know what is the hope of his calling.”

At the age of 17, I had a radical encounter with the Lord that marked me for the rest of my life. In one instant, my purpose was revealed. I remember going home after that revival meeting and telling my parents that I was called to the mission field.

Looking back almost 27 years later, I think about how my teenage self was so laser-focused on God's revealed purpose for my life. I never even thought to question if going to the mission field was a good idea because I was so secure in the fact that it was God's idea. I had total trust in Him for my future because I understood that He was trustworthy.

All these years later, I can still say with my whole heart that God is trustworthy. We have walked through many difficult seasons on the mission field. We live and serve in a country where there is severe persecution and opposition, but the Lord's purposes prevail. He has sustained us as a light in the midst of a very dark nation.

There were many times that we wanted to give up, and forfeiting the call of God on our lives looked like the easiest option. But that deep sense of purpose that was alive in us sustained us.

I have learned that our life's purpose is not ahead of us somewhere far away; it is already deposited in us. It's inside you and me, and it's been there all along.

God created you for a specific task that only you can do on this earth. I know that many people struggle to find their life's purpose and meaning. From my personal experience, it is not about asking God, “What should I do?” but rather, “Who should I become?”

If you are walking every day closer and closer to Jesus, you will become like Him. You will begin to talk like Him, love like Him, and desire the things He desires for you. As we conform to His image, our life's purpose will unfold as a byproduct.

If you desire to walk in the fullness of the purpose that God has for your life, keep getting closer to Jesus, and along the journey He will reveal your assignment and purpose.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV

I grew up in a church where you had to whisper in the sanctuary and metaphorically tiptoe into the presence of God. You always had a sense that you were unworthy and always started prayer by confessing your sins and your lowly state.

It transformed my life when I was taught the truth of today’s verse. I can come before God with confidence, even in the times I’ve messed up and needed His mercy.

Confidence based on what? On God’s affirming love toward me and the fact that I am a child of God.

Of course, we should have a sense of respect and the fear of the Lord, but that is based on God’s greatness, not on us being worthless or unworthy.

When my daughters come to me and ask me for something, they don’t start by putting themselves down, saying how bad they are or how unworthy they are to be my children. They simply come boldly and share what they need or what is on their hearts.

God wants us to have the confidence of a child who knows they are loved and accepted no matter what. Live today in the confidence of being God’s child.

Powerful prayer starts from this point. Pray out of that identity, and you will discover new dimensions of the presence of God.

Father, thank You for loving me and making me Your child. Help me to grow today in confidence in Your goodness and acceptance of me. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NIV

The world around us is changing very quickly. As we watch the news, we can see that social values we thought were "givens" aren't anymore. There are wars and economic turmoil. We are also just beginning to see the impact of artificial intelligence, and whatever that impact will be, it will at least bring significant changes.

When we look to the future and wonder how things will turn out, we can easily become worried. But that is when we have to lean on God.

I love the phrase that God "will be the sure foundation for our times." In a changing world, God is our source of stability and strength. He is our firm foundation, the Rock of Ages who never changes. With God, we will be okay.

We must make sure that we anchor every area of our lives in Jesus. Beyond the forgiveness of sins, we need to anchor our relationships in God, our self-worth, our safety, our health, our finances, our work, our goals, and our hopes. Make sure that God is the foundation of them all.

Take a moment and check your heart. Is there any area where God isn't your sure foundation?

It is a wonderful thing to release those areas of your life to God and pray:

Jesus, You are the sure foundation of my future. I commit [name the particular area] into Your hands. I trust that You will take care of me. I know that with You I will be okay. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12 NIV

Most of us don’t like to wait. We live in a culture of instant gratification. We want things to happen quickly, and if we’re not careful, that mindset can creep into our walk with God.
As we study Scripture, we discover that living by faith often means waiting. Notice that today’s verse says God’s promises are inherited not through faith alone, but through faith and patience.

Sometimes waiting on God is very difficult. We can feel alone and forgotten. It may even seem as though the time we’ve spent waiting has been wasted, tempting us to become cynical or bitter.

So how do we practice patient faith? We intentionally hold fast and continually remind ourselves of the vision and promises God has given us. We refuse to give in to frustration when the circumstances of life seem to contradict what we believe God has spoken. We spend time in the Word and prayer and seek out Christian fellowship that strengthens our faith and fuels our perseverance.

God has not forgotten you. At the right time, He will come through. And when He does, you’ll have a story to tell that will encourage others in their own walk of faith. So hold on and don’t give up.

Father I ask you to strengthen my faith and build my patience. Help me to hold fast to your promises and not give up so that one day I can see the fulfillment of all you showed me. Amen

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.’ So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.” Ezekiel 3:3 NIV

Going without food isn’t healthy. We get weak, hangry, and easily lose focus. It’s easy to make poor choices when we’re hungry. I’ve learned to avoid grocery shopping on an empty stomach because I end up buying all kinds of things that aren’t good for me.

Much of this applies to our walk with God as well. God’s Word is our spiritual food, and we need it to stay spiritually strong. When we go too long without spending time in the Word, we become spiritually weak. We lose patience, become more vulnerable to anxiety and doubt, and are more easily tempted.

God told Ezekiel to eat His Word. Notice that God didn’t tell him to merely taste it, but to fill himself with it. And when he did, it tasted sweet.

Many believers read a single verse and then move on with their day. But that isn’t what it means to fill ourselves with the Word.

When you feel spiritually empty or dry, spend enough time in God’s Word to become filled by it. It doesn’t matter if you understand everything you’re reading. The time you spend soaking in Scripture feeds your spirit and strengthens your faith. It is sweet!

Holy Spirit, help me prioritize God’s Word in my life. Give me creative ideas for making time each day to fill myself with Your Word. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”  Proverbs 24:26 NIV

We are living in an era of lies. It is hard to know what is real and what is fake, who is genuine and who is a deceiver.

Several years ago, I was overseeing a ministry, and the man I relied on the most to keep things running, oversee the finances, and so on turned out to be a pathological liar. It was a very difficult and painful time when I found out. He was so skilled in deception that if there had been an Olympic medal for lying, he would have been a clear contender for first place.

Fundamental to every relationship is trust. Without trust, we cannot feel safe. We will constantly be on guard against being hurt and cannot give ourselves completely to another person. But lies destroy trust and thus hinder any deep relationship.

God is a God of truth, and truth builds and nourishes trust.

Speaking the truth, even when it is difficult, sometimes comes at the cost of making ourselves uncomfortable. But our momentary uneasiness must be weighed against the long-term reward of building trust.

A pastor friend of mine struggled with exaggeration (a temptation for many of us preachers!). He decided that every time he caught himself doing that, he would immediately stop and tell the person, "I'm sorry. That was not true." Then he would go on to correct what he had just said. He shared with me that the first couple of times he did that were so embarrassing that he quickly learned not to exaggerate anymore!

Decide today to practice truth-speaking. Declare war against lies, half-truths, and white lies. If you know that something you've said or wrote on social media was not true, be quick to repent so that trust will continue to grow in your relationships.

Father, forgive me every time I have spoken things that were not true. Help me to develop trusting relationships and speak the truth even when it makes me uncomfortable. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 NLT

When I was growing up, I got the impression that a person of faith would never suffer hardship or experience problems in life. I thought that problems and suffering were the result of a lack of faith. So the moment I encountered hardship, I went into a destructive self-searching mode, trying to find out why I had lost favor with God, what I had done wrong, and where the devil had gotten a foothold.

But today’s verse—and many others in Scripture—teaches us that we should not be surprised when we go through not just difficult times but even greater "fiery trials." Facing hard times isn’t something strange or a sign that you have missed God. It is part of living in a fallen world that has turned away from God.

So when you go through the fiery trial, set your focus on Jesus. As Peter continues to write:
“Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 4:13)

There is a partnership and close communion with Jesus that we can only reach through suffering. A more intimate walk with Jesus is suffering’s greatest reward. In the dark night of the soul, hold fast to the Lord, and you will receive a deeper revelation of His tender love and mercy and be shaped into His likeness.

I’m not saying that God is the author of our suffering, but that God doesn’t let suffering go to waste. He uses it to bring us closer to Him.

Jesus, whatever I’m facing today, help me to look away from the circumstances and from myself to You so that I can know You better. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14 NIV

When Emelie and I were young, we wanted to spend a weekend in London, England, before Christmas. We had watched movies that made it look so picturesque and wonderful. We imagined Christmas shopping under the lights of London, stopping for high tea, and enjoying all the rest. So when someone offered us two free tickets, we thought it was a blessing and decided to go.

But it was far from a blessing. Before we even left for the airport, Emelie fell outside our apartment and injured herself. The rest of our time in London was filled with mishaps, frustrations, and problems. Our return flight was diverted, leaving us stranded. We finally made it home exhausted and too late for work and school.

We understod something: we had not sought the direction of the Holy Spirit. We decided never to make that mistake again. Lesson learned.

We are not meant to do life alone or make every decision based solely on our own reasoning. God wants to lead us by His Holy Spirit, giving us direction and wisdom every step of the way.

At one time, I thought that always seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit would limit my life, take away all the fun, and make me almost like a robot. But I was wrong!

God knows the end from the beginning, and He always wants what is best for my life. As I am led by the Holy Spirit, I actually become more fully myself and walk in God's plan for my life.

So how do you receive direction from the Holy Spirit? It begins with a desire for a relationship with the Spirit. Start by asking Him for direction. Then cultivate an awareness of His presence by spending time in God's Word, worship, prayer, and Christian fellowship.

Father, forgive me for every time I have made decisions based on my own reasoning. Holy Spirit, I want to be led by You. I don't want to do life on my own. Help me to be sensitive to Your guidance today. In Jesus' name, amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“You came near when I called You, and You said, ‘Do not fear.’” Lamentations 3:57 NIV

Have you ever lost your footing, found yourself in chaos, and not known where to turn or what to do? I have.

Today's verse comes from the book of Lamentations. It is a cry to the Lord after Judah's enemies, the Babylonians, captured Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. The very center of their national and spiritual life—the place that gave them stability and gave them assurance that they were God's people—had been taken away. They were thrown into absolute chaos, not knowing which way was up.

Our verse teaches us three very important truths about a life crisis:

1. Call on the Lord.
God is always the answer. Seeking God in a time of crisis should always be our first response. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just share your heart with God. Sometimes that can be hard to do on our own, and that is when we seek prayer from others.

2. God responds to the cries of His people by coming near.
There is nothing more comforting and strengthening in times of trial and suffering than the tangible presence of Jesus. When His peace fills your heart, you know that your life is in His hands. Come what may, you will be okay.

3. God speaks to those who suffer.
The writer heard a word of deliverance from God. There is a word of deliverance for your life today. Open your heart and receive it. God's Word is creative; it makes possible what is proclaimed. With the words, "Do not fear," come freedom from fear and the power to resist darkness.

Lord, You are my help in every difficulty. I look to You. Nothing is too hard for You. Come to me today, let me know Your presence, and let me hear Your Word. In Jesus' name, amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!” Daniel 3:27 NIV

The book of Daniel tells the famous story of three Israelite friends who refused to bow before the statue of an ungodly king. Their punishment was to be thrown into a blazing furnace so hot that the guards who cast them in were killed by the flames.

But God protected them from being burned, and today’s verse declares, “They didn’t even smell of smoke!”

That is such a wonderful picture of how God can keep us in the midst of the most difficult situations and bring us through them with such freedom that people can hardly believe we ever went through such a difficult season. There are no traces.

Our God has the power not only to deliver us from the present fire but also from its long-term consequences.

You can go through the fire of personal conflict and pain and come out still trusting and loving, without a heart darkened by distrust or unforgiveness.

You can experience the brunt of corruption and injustice and still have joy and hope instead of becoming cynical.

You can face a troubling health challenge, and God can bring you through it without the slightest residue.

You can go through financial lack and still come out generous, without becoming fearful or stingy.

Father, I thank You that whatever happens, You are with me. No fiery trial will consume me, and I thank You that You will bring me through every problem without carrying even the smell of smoke. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

"But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Luke 11:20 NIV

When I was growing up, I heard a lot about the devil and spiritual warfare. It made me think the devil was much bigger and more powerful than he really is, and it left me feeling fearful.

Today’s text opened my eyes to the greatness of God. I was set free from fear when I realized that Jesus said all it takes to drive out demonic spirits is the finger of God—the finger!

The Bible speaks about God’s arm, God’s hand, and God’s feet. Yet the amazing thing is that it takes none of those to drive out evil. And here’s what I believe—though I can’t prove it: it only takes God’s little finger to drive out the devil!

I’m sure you’ve flicked a bug away with your finger. That’s what Jesus does with all the works of the devil. He simply flicks them away by the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s how powerful God is and how helpless the enemy.

You have nothing to fear. Jesus has defeated all evil. When you face darkness, call on Jesus. Speak His name over your life, and God’s finger will move on your behalf.

Jesus, thank You for defeating the devil. Today I look to You to guard and protect me and to deliver me from all evil. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

When I had just graduated from Bible college, I served the Lord as a missionary in Kenya. There was an amazing revival at the time, and many people gave their lives to Jesus. I was part of open-air meetings where tens of thousands of people gathered, and large numbers of them were saved. We also witnessed incredible miracles of healing and deliverance.
However, I noticed that a common problem was that once these new believers encountered obstacles in life—perhaps unanswered prayers or strong temptations—they became discouraged and walked away from their newfound faith.

As I prayed to God for direction on how to minister to these new believers, He reminded me that Kenyans are among the greatest marathon runners in the world. (Years later, thst is still ture. For example, in the most recent New York Marathon, both the men’s and women’s winners were from Kenya.)

So I began preaching that the Christian life is not a sprint—it is a marathon, and that believers in Kenya should become spiritual marathon runners. I saw how powerfully this image communicated. Yet this truth applies to everyone, not just those in Africa.

We all need to be reminded of the importance of perseverance. As anyone who has run longer distances knows, it takes perseverance and a resolute mindset not to give up.
That is what we need in our Christian lives.

We need to decide not to give up. We need to stay at it—come what may, whatever the cost, and whether we feel like it or not. No matter what our friends say, whether coworkers make fun of us or classmates think we are weird, we remain faithful to Jesus.

The promise is that your faithfulness to the Lord will produce an abundant reward—if you do not give up.

Jesus, I want to live faithfully for You today. Help me by Your Holy Spirit to persevere and not give up. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD

“See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” Isaiah 49:16 NIV
 
By Emelie Stenhammar, MD
 
One of my earliest childhood memories—I was probably about four years old—is of sitting on the kitchen counter in the home of some of my parents' friends. The adults were talking and talking, and I was fidgeting, as kids do when they're bored.
On the counter where I was sitting were glass jars filled with different dry foods. I took a dried pea from one jar and dropped it into another jar filled with rice.
 
A few weeks later, we visited their home again. The lady of the house took me by the hand and led me into the kitchen. There she pointed to the lone pea among all the rice in one of the jars.
 
"I know you put it in there," she said.
 
I was afraid she was going to scold me, but instead she said, 
 
"I'm not going to remove it, because every time I see it, it makes me think of you."
 
Even though I was very young, it struck me: If she thinks about me every time she sees that pea, and she doesn't want to remove it, then she actually wants to think about me!
 
It was a remarkable realization—one that deeply affected my young sense of self-worth. I mattered enough that an adult who wasn't even related to me enjoyed thinking about me. Imagine!
 
If something is really important to us—something we don't want to forget—we might write it on the palm of our hand as a reminder. God says that He has written our names on the palms of His hands. That means He wants to be reminded of us. He wants to think about us. Just like the lady wanted to think about me. 
 
A popular worship song asks, "Who am I that You keep me on Your mind?" What an incredible thought. That alone should transform the way we see ourselves.
 
The God who holds the universe in His hands has my name written on those very hands. The God whose wisdom brought all creation into being enjoys thinking about me. If nothing else makes me feel valuable, surely that does.
 
Lord Jesus, thank You for thinking about me and for delighting in doing so. Your love for me and the fact that You think about me make me special. Jesus, I love You!

“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.