We must talk more about a “once” and “now”!

Acts is one of the 66 books of the Bible and in chapter nine we read about the conversion of Saul. Luke tells us about the “once” and “now” of the apostle Paul in the first nineteen verses.

In the same book we read that the apostle Paul speaks to a crowd and he tells the crowd about his conversion. I like that. Please read Acts 22:3-21.

Also in the book of Acts, almost at the end, King Agrippa  gives the apostle Paul permission to speak for himself and the apostle Paul preaches again about his conversion. Acts 26:2-23. Let us follow his example.

WE MUST TALK MORE ABOUT A “ONCE” AND “NOW”!

I like to listen to speakers who talk about a “once” and “now” in their lives!

In the Bible we find the letter the apostle Paul has written to the churches in Galatia. In the letter he says right at the beginning that he persecuted the church of God but God was pleased to reveal his Son to him.

In Galatians 1:11,12 he writes:

“I want you to know, brothers,

Intr.:

that the gospel I preached is

1.  not something that man made up.

2.  I did not receive it from any man, nor

3.  was I taught it;

4.  rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”

End:

In his letter to the Ephesians the apostle Paul tells us what the Ephesians were once and what they are now. ONCE they were far away, but NOW they are near. Please read that in Ephesians 2:13.

And what does Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, write? He is writing to God’s elect who are scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia that God called them out of darkness into his wonderful light. You find that in First Peter 1:9. And  in First Peter 1:10 we are reading about a “ONCE” and a “NOW”.

“Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Nicodemus is mentioned in the gospel of John. Nicodemus is a Pharisee. Nicodemus is a member the Jewish ruling council.

And what does the Lord Jesus Christ say to him? The Lord says:

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'”

Can YOU say: “ONCE I was in  the darkness, but NOW I am in the light?” I CAN!

“MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE.”

The Rotary advertisement I found today in one of the magazines in our library encourages me to make my community a better place.

The ad says also:

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

“Rotary played a leading role setting up such organisations as Outward Bound, Crippled Children’s Society  (now called CCS Disability Action), Cure Kids and many others.”

And yes, I want to make our community a better place.

WEC International is a Missionary Society.

When I was young, WEC International sent me as a missionary to Thailand and I have been with WEC International almost all of my life.

WEC missionaries obeying The Great Commission.This is what we read in the Bible in Mark 16:15 “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'”

My occupation is now recorded as “Retired”, but I am not retired when it comes to telling others what the Lord has done for me. I did that just not long ago, when I had three Germans as listeners. They received also my business card.

Is there a better way to make our community a better place, than to see people become new creatures through the preaching of the good news?

WHO CAN HELP?

The book was written by J. Hudson Taylor – in English of course.

I possess one copy translated into German. (About 1951) The slender volume is called DAS HOHELIED (Song of Songs). Hudson Taylor explains the SONG OF SONGS, one of the 66 books of the Bible.

I would like to get hold of a copy in English! 

HARAKEKE – FLAX

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln

“‘Four things on earth are small,

Proverbs 30:24-28

Intr.:

yet they are extremely wise:

1.  ANTS are creatures of little strength,

yet they store up their food in the summer;

LIZARD

2.  CONEYS are creatures of little power,

yet they make their home in the crags;

3.  LOCUSTS have no king,

yet they advance together in ranks;

4.  a  LIZARD can be caught with the hand,

yet it is found in kings’ palaces.'”

End:

THE CROSS

“I have seen something else

Ecclesiastes 9:11

Intr.:

under the sun:

1. The RACE is not to the swift or

2.  the BATTLE to the strong, nor

3.  does FOOD come to the wise or

4.  WEALTH to the brilliant or

5.  FAVOR to the learned;

End:

but time and chance happen to them all.”