Erling Thu

Bible School Graduation

Yesterday I had the honour of participating in the graduation celebration of Bergen Bibelskole. Twenty students finished their study well this year. I have had the joy of spending some time with them sharing a little bit my insight from the Bible and my walk with God for more than fifty years. I like being with young people, and I especially like being with young Bible students. Yesterday was a day of celebration and word of appreciation and encouragement. Today the real examination of life starts. It is the life lived from now onward that will show the effect of spending one full year at studying the Bible and applying it in life. Now the real Life Application begins and I am confident that the students will do well.

Prayers have been answered!

It is a great joy to tell that our prayers concerning selling our house have been answered. Yesterday we accepted an offer as we found it acceptable. Solveig and I have agreed in prayer that the house should be sold before St. Hans (23.06.2009). We thank God for his faithfulness and also all our friends who have joined us in prayer. Now we all have another reason to rejoice. God is good. Within a month we will move to our new house in the forest in Lindås, Nordhordland.

All - everyone - me!

Last night I spent with the covenant community at Stord. Twenty five young people were gathered together to worship the Living God, enjoy fellowship in the Holy Spirit and listen to the word of God. I believe no one was disappointed or let down by being present, but rather the opposite happened. People met with God and had an encounter with the Holy Spirit in a relaxed atmosphere of friendship and fun.
I was asked to share from the Word of God and was sharing about what God is doing among his people in the world today to change this world. We had a good dialogue as we went to the Bible to finds what God says about this age of the New Covenant which is also the age of the Spirit. By the grace of God we discovered that God is pouring out his Spirit on all people. Everyone is included in God's love and plan of salvation. Every believer can be used of God in a powerful way in the age of the outpouring of the Spirit. God showed us that each of us can say: I am included! I can be used by God!
We are the prophetic people of God! We know God and we have a close relationship with God. Therefore we may speak for God and be used as his errand boys in small and bigger matters.
Some of the people present needed to be touched by the healing power of God and we all prayed for them. Not all of them could testify of complete healing after the time of prayer, but they were all touched by the power of God. A young man received double healing in his legs and knees as another young believer laid his hands on him and prayed loudly for him. God is good!

Attending a wedding - visiting family members

Solveig and I have just arrived home from attending a wedding and the joy of visiting family members in Jæren where we come from. We love wedding celebrations with long meals, songs and speeches. We love being with our relatives and friends that we don't see to often. This weekend we saw Solveig's three sisters and my three brothers as well as Solveig's old mother at the age of 91 and my aunty at 97.
Wedding and relatives at our home place make us aware of our rich heritage and roots. It is a powerful reminder of not being alone in the world, but being part of living history that is still developing.

Assisting in ordaining elders

The evening Solveig and I had the privilege of assisting Terje Dahle, who leads the apostolic work when Noralv Askeland is in the Philippines, in ordaining elders in an newly established church in Kvinnherad on the western coast of Norway. We had a wonderful time with the this beautiful group of people together with our covenant friends from the region. Both Solveig and were able to speak prophetically to the church and the new elsers. They were all encouraged by the word of God.
God is about to bring a great breakthrough for his kingdom in this area. I am so thankful to the Lord that we are allowed to take part in what he is doing among this emerging church. It is very exciting to see with our own eyes that the Kingdom of God is advancing!

A new prophetic generation

I am very thankful to God to be able to serve him in a time like this when the Spirit of God is moving in such a powerful way among the covenant people. God is pouring out the prophetic Spirit on his people. There is a fresh anointing available to all who are hungry for godly realities. A new prophetic generation is being birthed in these days. I have had the privilege of being with some of them recently and I am very excited of what I see and what God is doing among us.
At the weekend we had a prophetic gathering at Gullbotn with fifty plus people. We went to the Scripture to hear from God. We went direct to God in worship and prayer. We heard from God through the Word and through specific prophetic words. We encountered the power of the Spirit and all those suffering form any disease or infirmities were touched by the healing power and testified of being healed. The weekend was a time of practical training and equipping of all the participants. God gave us wonderful promises, encouraging words and down to earth direction. Revelation was imparted. Secrets were disclosed.
God is at work. A new prophetic generation is on the move!

Trying to sell our house

Two years ago we bought a summer house 45 minutes from Bergen city centre. We like the new place which we just call the house in the forest so much that we plan to move and make it our permanent residence. The last three weeks we have been trying to sell our house in the city. We have had several people looking at it and we have also had some offers, but we have not yet got what we want for the house. It is very interesting to see how different people are and how they view and value things differently when they come to look at the house. The other day we had a couple where the wife was so excited for our utility room while most of the people are excited for the tremendous view we have overlooking the fjord. We believe the selling of the house is in the Lord's hand and that he will look after us even in the trivial thing of selling a house.

Beautiful God

It is spring time in Norway. This is my favourite season. The whole nature speaks of God's beauty. The beautiful winter season is over. Now the entire landscape come alive from the sleep of death. The grass is green. The leafs of the trees are fresh in a great variation of the green colours of life. Flowers are budding everywhere. The birds are singing. Everything around me is a witness of the beautiful creator who is behind all the beauty of this wonderful world in which we live.
God is beautiful in his creativity. God is beautiful in his holiness. God is beautiful in his righteousness. God is beautiful in his goodness. God is beautiful in his graciousness. God is beautiful in his power. God is beautiful in his love.
Beautiful God, the whole universe is full of your glory!

Precious fellowship

The last few days I have been together with my friends in the apostolic team at Gullbotn. It was a very precious time of fellowship in the presence of God. We really experienced the reality of Psalm 133 about the precious fellowship of brothers living in peace and harmony with one another. We have shared with one another from our hearts and we have been praying together and received prophetic words of encouragement and direction. We have enjoyed delicious meals prepared by Solveig. The food always tastes better when eaten in the company of covenant friends. And we have been planning for the future.

God is up to something

We are living in exciting times. The Spirit of God is moving in new and unprecedented ways. From the four corners of the world we are receiving news of the movement of the Holy Spirit. And we Norwegians are not left out! Praise God, he is at work in Norway also! This morning at our weekly early prayer meeting we had lots of reports of what the Spirit  is doing among the believers in the covenant community. Young people are on fire for God. They are witnessing for their friends and they are functioning in spiritual gifts. New people are coming to Christ and are being baptised and discipled. Healing are taking place. The level of the power of God is rising among the believers.

A weekend in the presence of God

Friday Solveig and I flew to Skien to join the covenant community for a family retreat at Vegårstun camp site. Our long standing friends Åge and Astrid took us by car to the beautiful camp site in the forest by a lake. This is a perfect place for a retreat with the entire family.

Extraordinary power

We are living in a day of extraordinary power. God is increasingly manifesting himself among his people in great power. The Bible speaks of the Day of His Power. This is the day in which we live. All over the world the Spirit is moving among the people of God enabling them to heal the sick and set the captives free. A new generation of Christians are being seen in the earth in these days. They are moved by the Spirit and used by God to perform wonders as the meet the needs of people around them. They care for the poor, they love people and are engaged in saving the environment of the earth.
God is giving extraordinary power to ordinary Christians who is willing to be led by the Spirit. God is certainly up to something great in these days of his power. It is exciting to serve God in a time like this.

Living in the presence of God

One of the main Christian understanding of God is that he is omnipresent. The Psalmist is saying that there is no place he can avoid God or be out of his sight (Psalm 139). In fact our life is an open book to him, even from a distance he knows what we are thinking. His reassuring presence is always with us.

One billion souls to save

Christianity in China is booming. With 100 to 150 million believers, far more than the 74 million-member communist party, Jesus is a force to be reckoned with in the People’s Republic. Jane Macartney  from The Times talks to the new faithful who love China – but love God more.

The prophetic word brings life

Today I have received a very encouraging report from our recent visit to India. I attended a worship service with the covenant community when the Lord gave me a prophetic word for Anil, a former fruit seller, now one of the leaders among the people of God in that place. I have posted the entire report and I am sure you will be excited to read what a word from God can produce!

Power is coming from him to heal and save

I was reading this morning that Jesus went out to the mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. The following day people came to him from the entire country to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all (Luke 6:17-19).
As I read those words the Spirit whispered in my heart that He is doing the same today. The Spirit of Almighty God lives within us. The same power that rose Christ from the grave lives and works in us who believe. Jesus is saying that people bring good things out of the good stored up in their heart (Luke 6:45). God has filled us with his Spirit; he has poured out his love in our heart. We just have to let out what is inside us by the Spirit.
Jesus is at work among his people today in a marvellous way. Power is going out from him to heal and to save. We must allow him to work through us today and we will see wonders take place.

Increase from God

The other day I received an email from a member of the covenant community in Grand Rapids, USA. It contained a very encouraging prophetic message of supernatural help and increase from God. I took this message as a confirmation of the prophetic word that came the day before in our early prayer meeting that this is a day of God's power. He is coming down to manifest himself in healing, signs, wonders, deliverance, and salvation.
When we move with the wind of the Spirit and are led by him in our everyday life, we may expect to see salvation come many people! We are living in a day of harvest. We are living in a day of outpouring of the Spirit. God is bringing increase to his covenant people. He performs wonders for those who are faithful to him. Multitudes upon multitudes are eagerly pressing in on the Kingdom of God worldwide. We may participate in this refreshing move of supernatural power of the Holy Spirit by being laying hold of the prophetic promises of God for our day.
This is a time for the bold and the brave believers to rise up and do exploits for the Lord and bring healing to people we meet. Let us walk in the acts of the Spirit that have been prepared for us and be bold to seize the moment to set people free and bring them to Christ.

A prophetic weekend in Harstad

We have just attended a prophetic weekend in Harstad, in the Northern Norway. People from Vesterålen, Harstad, Bodø and even Trondheim were gathered to seek the Lord, to wait upon him and listen to his voice together. Certainly, we were not disappointed! From the first gathering Friday night to the last gathering Sunday morning the prophetic Spirit of God moved among us. I believe that all of us were touched by the presence of God and the working of the Holy Spirit in our midst. So many people prophesied, sharing visions and bringing words of encouragement and instruction.
We are indeed living in the age of the Spirit, as the Spirit is poured out on all people, causing young men to see visions, old men to dream dreams, young and old men and women to speak the word of the Lord. I am so thankful to the Lord for being alive today and being allowed to serve him in days of his power and fire!

The palm tree in the Bible

The palm tree occur many places in the Bible. Elim - the oasis with seventy palm trees and twelve springs of water is the first place it is mentioned (Exodus 15:27). One palm tree for each of the seventy elders and one spring of water for each tribe of Israel. The Bible is saying that the righteous will flourish like a palm tree. There are many things we may learn when we compare the righteous with the palm tree.

The power of testimonies

Sunday morning I had the joy of meeting with the covenant community in Jaipur. The gathering was full of life, joyful singing and dancing, powerful testimonies and uplifting prophetic words. As I listen to the testimonies and watched the response of the people I was excited. Testimonies about God at work in the ordinary life of simple believers are really powerful.

A prophetic company

We are having a two days prophetic seminar at Jaipur Covenant School and I am very encouraged after we have finished the first day. We are really meeting with a prophetic company. Actually the Living Christian Fellowship in Jaipur is itself a prophetic company and we are meeting with the very cream of that company. As we were worshipping together the prophetic Spirit of the Living God came upon us. Solveig was the first one to start prophesying. She was exuberant as she was proclaiming the word of the Lord. Her prophetic word released a stream of encouraging prophetic words and visions. I was not able to teach what I had planned. The prophetic anointing was so powerful among us that I just had to prophesy the word of the Lord to this prophetic company.

Ganesh is seeing God performing wonders in Nepal

Among the Nepali Christians we met some real powerful but simple believers. Ganesh is one of them. He lives in a remote village high up in the mountains of Himalaya. He has to walk for full day to reach a road! But God is working powerfully in that remote village. Since our last visit to Nepal three months ago he had only seen two families come to Christ, but he had seen some great miracle take place before they came to Christ.

Electric power cuts

During our visit to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, we had many long lasting electric power cuts. It was actually a quite shocking experience to have to be without electricity for most of the day. The hotels and bigger businesses had their own generators producing enough power for the most important functions. To be able to use a Laptop computer to go on-line was not among the functions that were prioritized. Neither did we have proper reading light in the dark evenings and nights. Often there was no power during daytime only a few hours at night. A friend of mine was complaining that he could not work for he had no power for his computer. So many work related activities were effected and the big parts of the city were slowed down.

In the seminars we were led by the Spirit to teach on the unlimited resources of God. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us we receive power. There is no power cuts with the Holy Spirit! He lives in us and is with us everyday.
But all too often believers are living as there is a power shortage in the Christian life. The good news is however that there is no power shortage with God. In fact the Kingdom of God consist in power not in theories.

God is at work in Nepal

Our trip to Nepal is about coming to an end. We have been meeting believers in Kathmandu and Hetauda mainly, but also some from remote villages in this area. They are all reporting that God is at work. They are seeing people come to Christ, being baptised and added to the covenant communities. Believers are being filled with the Spirit, speaking in tongues and operating in spiritual gifts. The political situation is somehow unstable, but the Kingdom of God is fast advancing in this former Hindu kingdom.

Enjoying Thamel

We arrived in Kathmandu yesterday after a long journey from Rajahmundry via New Dehli and we rested in the hotel. This morning Henry came to see us and we went to Thamel which is a famous shopping area in the middle of Kathmandu. I like walking in the narrow streets, almost  bursting with life. It is quite crowded with people, cycles, bikes, cars and rickshaws moving in all directions.  Here we find shops of all kind, but they are all different from the shops in the West. First of all they are normally very small. Then they are overloaded with goods. And there is little light because of power cuts. I have done no shopping today, only Solveig bought one shawl. The main purpose of going to Thamel today wasn’t shopping but fellowshipping.

On the way to Nepal

We are now leaving Rajahmundry for Hyderabad and New Dehli. Tomorrow (Thursday) we will go to Nepal for a two weeks visit. We have had a wonderful time with the group of young servants of God that God has brought us in contact with in Rajahmundry. In Nepal we will also spend most of our time with young people. God is raising up a new prophetic generation all over the world. I am so excited by what God is doing in our day. I am so grateful that I am able to serve God in a time like this. In Nepasl we spend most of our time with some new disciples in Kathmandu, but we will also visit Hethouda to spend time with young disciples there as well. I don't know if or how often we will be able to connect to the Internet while in Nepal, but I know that by the grace of God we will be able to stay connected to the Holy Spirit and what he is doing in this Himalyan nation.

A day in the presence of God

We have another wonderful day in the presence of God in Rajahmundry. We met at Zephry's Church Hall at Anand Regency. Eleven disciples joined us. Eleven servants of God were with us. Together we entered into the presence of God through songs of thanksgiving and worship. All shared what God had been speaking to them about this great nation of India. It was a very encouraging time to listen to all the prophetic promises given by God for this nation.

The Holy Spirit is falling on a new generation

We have witness a wonderful move of the Holy Spirit today as we have been together with a new generation of young Indians serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Yesterday we discovered that none of them were baptized in the Holy Spirit. We gave them some homework to do among which one was to read certain chapters in Acts to find out what happens to people when the Holy Spirit is coming upon them.

A new generation

As I met with a group of young people yesterday in a hotel in Rajahmundry I realised that God is really raising up a new generation of young believers in this great nation of India. They were sharing their testimonies of how they came to the Lord and why they dedicated their life to advance the Kingdom of God in India. These young believers were supporting themselves and their families through agricultural labour for the big landlords in this area. They have long working hours but still they find time to bring the good news of the Kingdom of God to new people. A new generation of servants of the Living God is certainly being born for the new day that is dawning in India.

Living in a global village

The world has become very small, like a global village, by the many inventions of transportation and communication. We can now fly to any place on the earth and reach the most remote area in hours in a helicopter. Via satellites we can survey what is taking place at any place on earth. On Google Earth we can see so many details of buildings and streets far away from where we live. Through this service on the Internet we may fly anywhere on earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. Via mobile phones we can talk with people around the globe and via Internet we can be part of many communities while we are still far away from each other geographically.

The Good News of the Kingdom is bearing fruit in India

The last few days I have been together with leaders of covenant communities from many different states of India. They are all giving very good reports of what God is doing in this great nation. From Kerala in the south to Sikkim in the north we are hearing that the Word is producing wonderful fruits in changed lives. Unreached people groups are given the Good News of the Kingdom and they are experiencing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. People are being set free from demonic oppression. Many sich people are being healed. And many come to Christ.

We always thank God

We always thank God when we pray for you! This is the way the apostle Paul is beginning his letter to the Colossians. He heard of their faith in Christ, their love for all the saint, and their hope because of the Gospel. The good news about the Kingdom of God has reached them through Epaphras, Paul's fellow servant and minister on his behalf among the Colossians which Paul had never met, and it is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world as well as in the Colossians.

Be very careful, then, how you live

Today I have been reading Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I love that letter very much. I think it is best letter he ever wrote to the covenant communities. He gives us revelatory insight in the mystery of Christ and the eternal plan and purpose of God in the first three chapters and takes us down to earth in the last three chapters where he is teaching us the practical outworking of being in Christ and being a member of the new covenant community.

Hinduism in double trouble

One of my Indian friends sent me a very interesting analysis of the situation in Orissa where Christians have been killed and persecuted recently. I have posted the entire article titled: Hinduism in Double Trouble: Mao & Christ Come Together in Orissa.

Greater than Moses

Moses is the greatest prophet of the Old Testament and the Jewish religion, but he cannot be compared with Jesus and his new covenant. Moses gave the people the Law written on tablets of stones. Jesus writes the law of love and freedom in the hearts of those who believe in him. Moses brought the people out of Egypt. Jesus takes Egypt out of people. Moses took the people to the promised land. Jesus puts the promised land into every believer.

God is working miracles through Sushikant

I was stunned when Sushikant gave reports of God working miracles through him in Mumbai at the conference for covenant leaders in Jaipur. He told us some incredible stories of the works of God in his life. This was the second time we met him and I am already looking forward seeing him again. In spite his young age he is a wonderful man of God.

God is in control

Today we have been together with about sixty leaders from all over India. These people are living under very difficult circumstances, very different from from our situation at home. Several of them have been facing persecution because of their faith and all of them have gone through many hardships as followers of Jesus Christ. Together we have been looking at the first chapter of the book of Daniel. This book is very relevant for the covenant community in India. The main message of the book of Daniel is simply that God is in control, even when you find yourself a prisoner robbed of all your civil rights.

The taste of India

As I was enjoying my Masala Chai the waiter at the hotel asked me why the foreigners were so fond of the Masala Chai, I had to think twice before I gave an answer. The first answer I game up with was simply that it is different. However, I was not pleased with that answer myself, so I had to think once more and came up with this one: We like Masala Chai because it is the taste of India! I love Masala Chai in all the many different tastes in which it comes, there is nothing like it. It is the taste of incredible India.

Arriving in India

Early this morning we arrived at the airport in New Dehli. It was warm inside the terminal. We came from real winter weather in Bergen and snow was pouring down. Our flight was cancelled. The next flight we were put on was delayed. But praise God for the good service of SAS at Copenhagen, they took us by car through the entire airport to the departing gate. The gate were about to close, but we was able to reach in time.

To be somebody is to seek and find

- to receive much more than respected.
I was seeking to hear the voice
- I found a person.
I was seeking guidance
- I found a Shepherd.
I was seeking the will of God
- I found friendship with the Son.
I was seeking understanding
- I found the life-giving Spirit.
To be somebody is to seek and find God
- who is LOVE - Eternal and Boundless!

Retreat with young families

I have been unconnected to Internet for the last few days, but I have not been disconnected to life. During this weekend Solveig and I have hosted sixteen persons at the house in the forest for a prophetic retreat. We have thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Solveig has been very busy with food and all the practical things, but in spite of that she has also taken active part in sharing insight and bringing prophetic words. This weekend I have not taken much part in the practical work, but I have been talking or to put it in a nicer way, I have been in dialogue with the young people all the time, sharing and receiving spiritual insight.

Five hallmarks of the prophets

When we read about the prophets in the Bible we soon discover that they have several traits in common, even though they were very different in style and personality. At Bergen Bible School today I shared five hallmarks of the prophets with the students.

Teaching at the Bible School

Today I have been teaching at the Bible School in Bergen. My subject is the prophets in general and then Isaiah in particular. I love to teach about the prophets and the book of Isaiah is my favorite book in the Old Testament. Isaiah is not only a wonderful prophet, he is also the most skilled writer and poet. His book is among the best literature ever written. He is using vivid metaphors and colorful description of his visions from God. I everything he is writing he is carrying a revelation of God the Holy one. The visionary encounter he had with the most holy God in the temple marked him for life.
Today we have only scratched the surface regarding the prophets but we have had a good dialog together as we have tried to apply the teaching of the Bible into our own situation.

Prayermeetings

On Tuesday morning the leaders of Kristent Fellesskap in Bergen area come together to seek the Lord and to enjoy fellowship as we have breakfast together. Solveig rises early morning at 0500 to prepare the breakfast for the brothers and friends praying together. We have a wonderful time praying together, but the time of fellowship as we enjoy the delicious breakfast only Solveig can make, is even more precious to us. The brothers always give praise to God for Solveig, they really appreciate her - and her breakfast!

Sowing seeds - reaping a great harvest

I have been traveling and visiting covenant communities in the northern part of Norway the last few days together with my friend Zephry D'Souza from India. He has been sharing in all the gatherings about sowing and reaping in one way or the other as he has been telling stories of what God is doing in the great nation of India. In his unique and kind way he has been giving thanks to the Norwegian brothers and sisters for their involvement in the work in India over many years.

God is doing what he is saying he will do

Yesterday I came to Øksnes in Vesterålen in the northern part of Norway together with Zephry D'Souza from India. We had a very good time with brothers and sisters in the covenant community here. God has been working wonderfully in this part of Norway for some time now and many people have come to Christ. The new and emerging church in this area has seen a very good growth through new births.

Having prophetic words fulfilled

As I have been reading the prophet Zechariah one sentence have stuck with me. It is the last sentence in chapter six and verse fifteen: "This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God." In the previous verses God had given some wonderful promises of the temple being restored and build by the Lord's servant the Branch - ultimately the Messiah - but immediately Joshua son of Jozadak. After God had given these wonderful promises he said that there was a condition to see the prophetic words fulfilled: obedience to God.

Meeting together

From Wednesday to Sunday we have been meeting together the entire days with covenant friends at Gullbotn. During those days we have had deep fellowship and strengthening of our friendship. We have been together in the presence of God and we have done a lot of planning as we have been in dialogue together. We have also been deep into the Word and we have all been refreshed by the Spirit.
There is nothing like being together as covenant friends to share with one another what God is doing in our lives as well as sharing the fresh insight he is giving us through our daily Bible reading. Psalm 133 is saying that it is good and beautiful when brothers live together in harmony and I can certainly confirm that. When we meet together with the right attitudes God will always manifest his presence among.
Something went wrong with my Internet connection the last week and I was not able to report on my blog for several days. I am happy to be connected again. But more important than being online to be able to blog is to meet with brothers and sisters in person to touch hearts with one another. That is what I did when I was unable to connect to the Internet.

Praying together

The leadership in the covenant community in Bergen has a wonderful habit of praying together early every Tuesday morning. This morning we met for the first time in 2009. We started by sharing our expectations and what we sensed God was saying concerning the year ahead of us. Even before we entered into the presence of God we were in wonderful harmony and that just deepened as we were praying and seeking God together.

What will 2009 bring?

We are already "far" into the new year 2009 and I wonder along with many others what this year will bring. I have had a break from blogging as I have been celebrating Christmas and our wedding anniversary at the house in the forest. It has been days of rest and tranquility. Now I am back home and take up the normal routines of life again, - like blogging on what the new year will bring.