by Elyn Schranz | 19. July 2026
My alarm clock rings incessantly. Still half-asleep, I’m confronted by the cold, hard reality! I want to get back to the world of dreams as quickly as possible. Still groggy, unmotivated, and with my eyes barely open, I drag myself to the bathroom. Do scenes like this sound familiar to you?
For over two years, that was my morning routine. Every day, I fought against the negative thoughts. I wanted to defeat them.
At that time, I felt completely out of place at work. However, when I poured out my dilemma to God, I experienced His help. Looking back, I can see His wonderful plan in it.
Are you currently in a similar situation? Do you feel like you’re in the wrong place? Could this be a time when you can learn something important? Trust your Creator. He knows you inside and out.
You will come to know Him better and better and experience the full extent of His magnificent power and strength, so that you may walk your path with patience and perseverance.
colossians 1,11
At just the right moment, He will show you the next step. Remain patient in His presence. He will reward you for it every day with renewed strength.
Weekly text: Colossians 1,1-14
by Elyn Schranz | 12. July 2026
Werner drags himself laboriously into the living room. He barely manages to dial the emergency number. He’s breathing heavily and can hardly catch his breath. It feels as if a heavy weight were pressing down on his chest. He describes his symptoms over the phone. The emergency responders arrive in a few minutes.
Oxygen is administered—he is able to get back on his feet and breathe deeply again. For further evaluation, he is taken to the hospital, which he is able to leave after a few days.
That experience—not being able to breathe, not getting enough air, and the feeling of a heavy burden almost crushing him—left a lasting impression on him.
“You know,” he says, describing his experience, “it’s become a metaphor for me. How often do I carry burdens around with me? I live without forgiveness, hold a grudge against someone, worry.”
Jesus Christ’s offer is extended to all of us:
Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11,28
Give it a try; take the plunge. Bring whatever is weighing you down to Jesus. He will take your burden away and set you free.
Weekly text: Matthew 11,25-30
by Elyn Schranz | 5. July 2026
Many people hope, at some point in their lives, to have enough money to be happy. Others believe that if they spend their time meaningfully, they’ll be content. Still others find fulfillment in relationships. All of these things can only fill our inner emptiness to a limited extent.
I’m sure the woman mentioned in the Bible knows this, too. She meets Jesus at the village well during the heat of midday. This is very unusual. After all, who goes to fetch water at the hottest time of the day? But this woman probably has her reasons. I think she’s an outsider in her village. Everyone talks about her, but no one talks to her. Yet that doesn’t bother Jesus. He knows that this woman has a deep longing for a fulfilling life.
What Jesus does here is exactly what God wants: He wants to enter into conversation with you and me. Through Jesus Christ, this becomes possible. Jesus meets us exactly where we need Him—namely, when we are alone, in the midst of our need.
Have you ever wondered what truly fulfills your life? Jesus says, “Your thirst for life can truly be quenched. I can give you true peace!”
But whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
John 4,14
Jesus Christ IS life—the full life, eternal life.
The life you can begin today in fellowship with God continues beyond death.
Weekly text: John 4,1-30
by Elyn Schranz | 28. June 2026
That’s what we all want: a life brimming with joy. But how do we achieve that? There are just too many things that kill joy: my difficult neighbor who doesn’t like me; the coworker who’s constantly favored by the boss; the partner who makes my life difficult; the kids who make strange decisions… and so on and so forth. So many circumstances that constantly try to rob me of my joy.
Yes, life can deal some heavy blows. Circumstances can seem almost impossible. People throughout history have experienced this and shared their stories. The Bible offers this encouragement: “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” This is a great mystery—and one that can truly be experienced: Whoever looks to the living God and trusts in Him will find joy—no matter how bitter, how hard, or how difficult the circumstances may be. Why? Because they have come to understand that God’s plans are beyond our understanding. This perspective opens up new dimensions that extend beyond the present moment.
So, take your eyes off your circumstances. Look to Jesus Christ—HE wants to and will give you new joy.
for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8, 10
Weekly text: Nehemiah 8, 5–12
by Elyn Schranz | 21. June 2026
What does freedom really mean? Does it mean being able to do whatever you want? Going on vacation without having to answer to anyone?
God gave us His commandments for our protection. Yet no one can say they have never broken one. Sin enslaves us, but Jesus sets us free. He enables us to do God’s will from the heart—not by the letter of the law, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our human nature does not want to do what pleases God. We have to fight a battle. How good it is that God is patient with us!
Freedom requires a decision. You decide how to use your freedom. Jesus’ infinite love for us gave him the strength to die for our sins. He paid the high price in our place, not so that we might live as we please, but so that God’s power and glory might be made visible in our lives.
Christ has set us free to enjoy our freedom. So remain strong in the faith. Don’t let the chains of slavery hold you again.
Galatians 5,1
When do you feel free?
Weekly text: Romans 6,15–23
