“ESSENTIALS”

When I read “ESSENTIALS” on the price tag of the shirt,  I looked for the word “essentials” not only in the dictionary, but  also in my other books.

When I found the word “essentials” in one of my very old books – given to me by my father in law – I was really interested. (1000 New Bible Readings by Dr. F. E. Marsh –  For the Help of Students and Workers)

One sermon outline (Bible Reading) has to do with the Lord’s Work. Four essentials for the work of the Lord Jesus Christ are listed. I am especially interested in essential number four: “Persistent Effort”. The other three are “Prayer, Faith, and Love”. “Prayer” is vitally important for the Lord’s work. “Faith” is absolutely necessary for the work of the Lord. “Love” is basic and fundamental for the Lord’s work.

But do we know and grasp that PERSISTENT EFFORT is also an essential for the work of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Let me ask you another question: What is the secret of success in Christian work?

My answer is PERSONAL EVANGELISM. F. E. Marsh calls it “Individual effort, Concentration of effort”. He calls it “Going after some one person and gaining that one for Christ.”

Please read with me John 1:35-51. You find that the Lord Jesus Christ finds Andrew. Andrew finds Peter. The Lord Jesus Christ finds Philip. Philip finds Nathanael. That is the Divine order!

Personal Evangelism, (“Individual effort, Concentration of effort”)  is the secret of success in Christian work.

Last Sunday in Church I wore the shirt with the $15 price tag. On the back it says “PRICED TO CLEAR $ 8,98”. I think that’s why it was bought.

“All I really need to know I learned …”

In the September 2012 Reader’s Digest I am reading that in 1988 the Book ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN by Robert Fulghum was a bestseller.

I want to tell you that “All I really need to know I learned …”

” … from reading the BIBLE.

Why?

Because the BIBLE is the supreme BOOK!

Why is the BIBLE the supreme book? We can list several reasons, but one reason is that the BIBLE has the answers. The BIBLE has the answer to the questions of life. The Bible has answer to the questions of death.

THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS OF LIFE.

People are asking, “Why was I  born? Why did God make me? Why am I here? What is the purpose of life?”

The purpose of life.

There are two great eternities, there is heaven and there is hell. ” …, now is the day of salvation.” (Second Corinthians 6:2) The BIBLE says, “‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.'” (Acts 16:31) 

THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS OF DEATH.

The BIBLE tells us not only about the origin and the cause of death, but also about the remedy of death. We are also reading about the death of Christ in the Bible. Please read the BIBLE! 

And all I really need to know I am still learning from reading the Bible, THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD!

“COULD YOU WRITE A GRIPPING TALE USING EXACTLY 100 WORDS?”

I am reading that question in the September 2012 Reader’s Digest.

And this is how the paragraph continues: “Enter our competition and you could win $1000 and have your story published in Reader’s Digest.”

This is my answer to the above question:

I have written a story using exactly 100 words, but I don’t know if people think that it is a gripping tale.

And I will enter the competition. I realise also that the story should be original and unpublished.

Today I attended the

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PEOPLE

“‘Injury Prevention in and around the Home'”

at the

TE AHU COMMUNITY CENTRE in KAITAIA.

Lots of stalls inside the hall and  one outside the hall: NORTHABLE

“NorthAble is Northland’s primary Disability Resource Centre and has been serving local communities for more than 21 years.”

I learned also how to “TAKE ACTION AND FIGHT THE 5 HOME HAZARDS.”

1. Chairs aren’t ladders!

2. Fasten rugs & mats!

3. Secure power cords!

4. Wipe up spills!

5. Remove moss from paths!

Well prepared with the bottle of water in my hand and the money for payment ready in the pocket of my shirt, I arrived at the check out.

The lady before me searched frantically in her wallet for her bank card, but could not find it.

“Preparation is more important than the actually doing,” came to my  mind and I almost blurted it out. But I am glad, that I did not. I don’t think it would  have done any good in that situation.

I WAS SERVED BEFORE HER.

On my way home I passed a hairdresser’s establishment. In front of the shop, on one blackboard was written, “IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, THEN PREPARE TO FAIL.”