Im raised in a Dutch reformed church. We managed to know all the bible stories, without understanding who Holy Spirit is, and without revelation of God the Father seeking a personal relationship with us. I found God outside that church. And still receiving more and more revelation-knowledge of who He is. Even after knowing God as a loving Father, I missed depth in relation with God. Which came by studying two things: 1. The fear of the Lord 2. The gospel of the Kingdom Contemplating His holiness and becoming part of the movement (kingdom) Jesus spoke about all the time.

@Gospel Mentality the awareness of His holiness led towards a deeper relationship with God (also as loving Father). I believe that all knowledge flows forth from knowing Him. The gospel of the Kingdom was a very important distinction. For I was raised with the gospel of salvation, it pointed to the cross, made aware of sin, but kept circling there. Like Jesus death and resurrection were the end station. But the Gospel of the Kingdom shows us that that was merely the beginning. A (re)birth, from where we grow into mature children of God, on a mission, with our role in the establishing of that Kingdom. Moving in power. Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. That is not waiting until we die and see His power in heaven. It is bringing pockets of heaven here on earth in the now. By sharing faith, helping people to get free from evil, Gods healing power in the now, and much more.

A thousand times welcome my friend, thanks for creating a space to share and encourage. Many blessings for you on this journey❤️

Health has been a whole adventure lately. I have chronic pain, rooted in medical neglect in my youth. Stretching myself out to healing comes with: forgiveness, kindness to self, break subconscious habits, returning memories, and more. About 6 weeks ago the pain escalated. I haven't been able to work (and I run my own business) learning to prioritize myself. Seeing how others step up to keep the business going. All I could do was make walks, pray and journal. Feeling desperate how to make it to the end of the day (pain was a 9,5, interrupting my sleep, and laying in bed awake makes it worse). Second week, I had a deep mental dip. But then something happened. I got to witness about my faith and pray for baby Christians, shared to gospel and Jesus's love several times (literally thrown in my path) and every time I spoke up I felt my spirit in my coming to life. Like living water quenching my thirst. Then, a group of 4 believers took over an hour of their time to sit with me and to ask Holy Spirit how to help me. That in itself is healing on a soul-level. God revealed several things (curses spoken over me and spiritual attack stuff) we prayed through. From that moment on, I get restoration in my sleep again. My walks with God gave me insights, I used my forced free time to study the Bible, and keep encouraging others with what it teaches me. Sunday a week ago a friend texted me that they had an amazing church service on healing, and that they decided to come together that evening and told me to come. That afternoon I ended up after a walk in a rondom cafe, journal in hand, but my left arm was shaking uncontrollably (probably pinched nerve), and I look at it, knowing that this shouldn't be my normal anymore. At that moment psalm 116:7 came to mind where David speaks to his soul: 'return to your rest my soul, for the Lord has been good to me.' So I speak out loud in this café: Come to rest my body, trust your Maker. Instant calm. My body returned to its rest.

When dealing with different troubles in your life, it can feel really overwhelming. I have had a time where, health, finances, family and more was all chaos. In total 7 points of worry. When focusing on these worries (even with the attention to solve them) it overflows your system with stress and I couldn't get anything done. At that time I was writing and felt that God wanted to tell me to simple start my day without worrying and try to enjoy it. Not with the intention to hide from the problems, but to deal with it at the moment it pops up. Calm returned to my system, I dealt with things when they came up. And in 2,5 week time 5 out of the 7 problems were solved. What changed was starting to life from trust. This week I read Matthew 6 (MSG version) and that captured this lesson wonderfully. I was touched that God taught me this principle before reading it in His word. Such a grace. Matthew 6:34 MSG [34] “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Currently reading Romans :)