Mark caused by leaking ink cartridges

That is the bigger mark I discovered today, when I lifted up my printer from the computer table to do some dusting. The ink cartridges are leaking. But I did not need to tell you that. That happened this morning and now is late afternoon.

Nothing very much, but I am glad I remembered now that I learned:

“YOU CAN TELL HOW BIG A PERSON IS  BY WHAT IT TAKES TO DISCOURAGE HIM.” 

Three times the Lord says in Matthew chapter six, “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:4; Matthew 6:6 and Matthew 6:18

He says that in regard to three things:

The first Secret:

Giving to the needy. Matthew 6:1-4

The hypocrites are mentioned. We are mentioned. Matthew 6:3 “But when you give to the needy, …”

The second Secret:

Prayer. Matthew 6:5-15

The hypocrites are mentioned. We are mentioned. Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, …”

The third Secret:

Fasting. Matthew 6:16-18

The hypocrites are mentioned. We are mentioned. Matthew 6:17 “But when you fast, …”

It takes faith to do things in secret. And let us remember that “Faith keeps the person who keeps the faith.”

Someone said, “Faith is not jumping to conclusions; faith is concluding to jump!”

I jumped quite a bit and I want to tell you about my greatest jumps.

It started actually with my greatest jump of all.

My greatest jump took place when I was in my teens and I am glad that my greatest jump took place when I was very young.

This morning I am reading about Ludwig Hofacker, who lived from 1798-1828 and he encourages us to dare to jump from our own righteousness to the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He says that it feels as if we are falling into an abyss to the heart of a loving Father.

I did that jump when I was eighteen years of age in Germany.

MY JUMP FROM WORKING IN A COAL MINE TO THE BIBLE SCHOOL BRAKE.

Maybe I could have grown old working in the  coal mine called “Rheinbaben” as an electrician in Bottrop near Essen in Germany or could I?

Bibelschule Brake in Germany

Picture / Bibelschule Brake

But I am glad that I concluded to jump by faith from the coal mine to learn more about the Bible at a Bible School.

I am still receiving emails from the BIBLE SCHOOL BRAKE (“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will  also be qualified to teach others.” – Second Timothy 2:2.) in Germany regularly and also the magazine for graduates. 

MY JUMP TO THAILAND.

I worked in Thailand as a missionary for thirteen years in two provinces.

Sunday School in Thailand

Picture/Alan Collingwood

MY JUMP TO NEW ZEALAND.

During the year 1980 I did more studies at a Bible College in Auckland/ NZ.

For almost 25 years I worked as  missionary in Kaikohe/NZ. (United Maori Mission)

Quite some time ago I received an email with the subject “New Church signs …” I am not sure if you are familiar with Church Signs.  I know that the Church Sign: “CHRISTIANS, KEEP THE FAITH – BUT NOT FROM OTHERS,” was used somewhere on August 13, 2003.

Why did I jump by faith from GERMANY to NEW ZEALAND? Because I was obedient to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in the GREAT COMMISSION, where the Lord says: “‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'” Matthew 28:18-20.

And I am still obedient.

This morning I talked to a couple from Germany here in Kaitaia, in the north of New Zealand, and when I was asked what my occupation was in Thailand my answer was, “I am glad you asked that.” (“Es freut mich, dass Sie danach fragen.”)

Persoenliche Evangelisation (Personal Evangelism was a subject taught at Bibelschule Brake in Germany.

What an Encouragement it is for me to read this:

“YOU CAN TELL HOW BIG A PERSON IS BY WHAT IT TAKES TO DISCOURAGE HIM.”

Please let me know if you are also encouraged!

“Evolution: when scientists make monkeys of themselves.”

“YOU’VE DONE SOMETHING AMAZING TODAY”

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1

“BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED AT GOD’S COMMAND, SO THAT WHAT IS SEEN WAS NOT MADE OUT OF WHAT WAS VISIBLE.” – Hebrews 11:3

Someone said, “Character is what we are when no one is watching.”

Do you belong to those who think no one is watching?  Think again!

David in the Bible asked the Lord two questions.

First question: “Where can I go from your Spirit?

Second question: “Where can I flee from your presence?”

Here are his answers:

The Lord is in heaven and in the depths. He says also that the right hand of the Lord will hold him fast if he rises on the wings of the dawn and if he settles on the far side of the sea. He says also that darkness will not hide him, because darkness is as light to the Lord.

“‘THOU GOD SEEST ME.'”

O don’t know if the words are still there. I saw them written on the wall above the entrance to the big hall of the WEIGLE HAUS in Essen/Germany. The WEIGLE HAUS was a meeting place for boys between 14-18 years of age and was run by a pastor. Every Sunday started with a Church Service at 8.30 in the morning and the whole Sunday was full of activities for young boys. Often you could find 500-700 boys in the Club House on a Sunday afternoon.