FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT

The Salvation Army Auckland City Corps Brass Band in KAITAIA

The Salvation Army Auckland City Corps Brass Band

Supper is being served

6.30 pm Saturday 8th June

The Salvation Army Auckland City Corps Brass Band, Te Ahu Community Centre, KAITAIA

Te Ahu Community Centre, Kaitaia

“Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” – Job 17:9

HARAKEKE – FLAX

“We know of no cure for the love of evil in a Christian like abundant communication with the Lord Jesus. Dwell much with Him, and it is impossible for you to be at peace with sin.” – C. H. Spurgeon

Having been a missionary myself  in Thailand for 13 years and in New Zealand for 24 years, I can well identify with what I read in the German magazine called WELTWEIT on page 10. (3.2013)

In a prayer letter Hans-Walter and  Rosi Schuetze are giving us eight reasons why we burn ourselves out.

I am translating the eight reasons as good as I can:

1.  Our expectations are too high.

Not only our own expectations, but also the expectations of others.

2.  Our desire  is to please everybody.

3.  We have to deal with difficult external conditions: climate, culture and reprisals.

4.  We are disappointed that we don’t see more fruit.

5.  Difficulties with fellow missionaries.

6.  Our feeling of responsibility, if not healthy, can drive us over the edge.

7.  Having not enough sleep, exercise and insufficient diet.

8. Attitude to take the work into our hands instead of leaving things with the Lord.

MISSIONARY WORK IN THAILAND Picture / Allan Collingwood

Maybe you are a missionary somewhere working in the vineyard of the Lord at the present time and you are reading this. I hope this is helpful.

I wish I would have known about the eight reasons, when I arrived in Thailand just  before Christmas 1966!

STOP

“‘Listen to this, Job; STOP and consider God’s wonders.'” – Job 37:14

“‘Take your evil deeds out of my sight! STOP doing wrong, learn to do right'” – Isaiah 1:16,17

“STOP trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” – Isaiah 2:22

“‘STOP grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered.” – John 6:43

“‘STOP judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.'” – John 7:24

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. STOP doubting and believe.'” – John  20:27

“Brothers, STOP thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” – First Corinthians 14:20

“Therefore let us STOP passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” – Romans 14:13

“I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never STOP doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.” – Jeremiah 32:40

HARAKEKE – FLAX

“‘When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?'” – Job 9:24

STOP

“I will make an everlasting covenant with them:

I will never STOP doing good to them, and

I will inspire them to fear me,

so that they will never turn away from me.” – Jeremiah 32:40

“There is only one happiness in life to love and be loved.”

I read that yesterday again, when looking into one of the shop windows here in Kaitaia.

And how true is that!

And how blessed and enviably happy are those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and are loved by him.

All those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ know that they are loved by him. In the Gospel of John in chapter 15 the Lord tells his disciples to remain in his love.  How do the disciples remain in his love? They remain in his love by doing what he tells them to do. That means obeying the commands of the Lord and his teaching. You can read that in  John  15:9-10 and there you find also that the Lord Jesus Christ is the example.

LOVE

Once more, how  do we love the Lord? Again and again the Lord tells us that we love him by doing what he says. That means that we must read the Bible.

All those who love the Lord are loved by the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are loved by the Lord himself. And the Lord will show himself to them. You can read that in John 14:21.

All those who love the Lord Jesus Christ become  the home of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please read that in John 14:23-24.

All those who love the Lord Jesus Christ are given the Counselor. You find that in John 14:15-16.

Some followers of the Lord who loved the Lord and knew that they were loved by him were so full of happiness, that they expressed their joy in hymns. Here is a Chorus by Constance B. Reid:

“love found a way, to redeem my soul,

Love found a way that could make me whole,

Love sent my Lord to the cross of shame,

Love found a way, O praise His holy name!”