The Bible, the Word of the Living God, says in Jeremiah 29:11:

“‘FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU,’

declares the Lord,

‘plans to prosper you and

not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and

a FUTURE.'”

This morning I read what C. H. Spurgeon is writing in his Daily Readings “Morning and Evening.”

“Avoid foolish controversies.” Titus 3:9

He writes:

“There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish….”

C. H. Spurgeon has seven questions. Here they are:

1. “DO I BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?”

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2. “AM I RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF MY MIND?”

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3. “AM I WALKING NOT AFTER THE FLESH , BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT?”

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4. “AM I GROWING IN GRACE?”

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5. “DOES MY CONVERSATION ADORN THE DOCTRINE OF GOD MY SAVIOR?”

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6. “AM I LOOKING FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD, AND WATCHING AS A SERVANT SHOULD DO WHO EXPECTS HIS MASTER?”

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7. “WHAT MORE CAN I DO FOR JESUS?”

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I have left some space under the questions for answers.

Please print this post and answer the seven questions!

Shall I be surprised to find an article called “Keeping the faith” on page 02  in the Westpac Economic Overview ? (October 2010)

The article begins: “The economic recovery has slowed to a snail’s pace and near-term indicators are soft.”

Keeping the faith.

In the Bible, the Word of the Living God, the apostle Paul says in Second Timothy 4:7

“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

Please read Second Timothy 4:6-8

In Hebrews 11:1-40 we are reading about more people who have kept the faith:

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham.

Hebrews 11:13 “All these people were still living by faith when they died.”

“The Christmas gift that keeps on giving.”

That’s what the advertisement says on the front page of the paper today. (The New Zealand Herald, Thursday, November 18, 2010) The ad continues: “The lucky ones who get a TiVo for Christmas will appreciate it every single day. They can record, freeze and rewind their favourite TV programmes to their hearts content.”

I know about another gift that keeps on giving. It is the Bible, the Word of the Living God!  The Bible keeps on giving when we appreciate the Word of God every single  day, when we read the Scriptures  every single day.

Seven points to remember when reading the Bible

from One Hundred Bible Lessons by A. Douglas

1. Read it lovingly.

2. Read it reverently.

3. Read it prayerfully.

4. Read it meditatively.

5. Read it systematically. Read right through the Bible, not just selected portions.

6. Read it resolutely.

7. Read it daily.

I like this verse very much: First Corinthians 3:11

KAITAIA BAPTIST CHURCH CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION CONCERT

Place: 79 Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia

Phone: 408 4820 or 9467515

Entrance Fee: $5-00

Time: 04  Dec 2010 – 6.00pm

Incl. : Mime Group from Auckland

Local Artists and a lovely meal

Be in to win $50-00

DON’T MISS OUT AND REMEMBER, BRING A FRIEND

“Fuel for the soul.”

Today I picked up a very old magazine  (August 2008) at the Kaitaia library called “Boating New Zealand” for 20 cents.  “Boating New Zealand” is “New Zealand’s Best Selling Boating Magazine.”

Straight away I was interested in the caption of the editor’s log called “Fuel for the soul.”

Boaties were asked the question: “What epitomises boating for you?” “Freedom, family and fish” was the answer. “It’s that ability to  cast off and drift away from the stresses of normal everyday life…”  “Fuel for the soul.”

Fuel for the soul!

What is the nourishment of the soul for the child of God? The answer is the daily reading of the Bible, the Word of the Living God!

Gifts

On the front page of the local paper ( The Northland Age, Tuesday, November 16, 2010 ) I read the big black letters “need gift ideas?” Underneath the  “Frame’n’ek gallery & framing” advertisement says “exciting new gift range in store now.”

On page two of the same paper is an even bigger ad telling me about “The Ultimate Christmas Gift!” What is the ultimate Christmas gift? It is a calendar. “100% local Northland 2011 Calendar. A stunning Photographic Collection from Award – Winning Photographers.”

GIFTS!!

“NEXT TO THE GIFT OF CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE BIBLE IS THE THIRD GREATEST GIFT.”

—-The gift of Christ:

“BUT THE ANGEL SAID TO THEM,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of  David a Savior has been born to you;  he is Christ the Lord.'”

—-The gift of the Holy Spirit:

Acts 2:38

“And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

—-The gift of the Bible:

Today we received a letter from BiblesinAction in Henderson and in the letter it said:

“Transform a child’s life this Christmas with the gift of God’s Word.”