“HOOKED ON BOOKS: Kaitaia Primary School pupils making the most of their brand new library,” is the caption of the picture in the paper today. (The Northland Age, Thursday, February 18, 2016)

“THE BOOK OF BOOKS”

That’s actually what I like to hear, that people are hooked on books, especially the youngsters, as I read here.

I am also hooked on books, all kinds of books. From an early age I liked to read and I like to read now, and I think I will always have books around me.

Just now I have three books beside my chair, a devotional treasury by  a German pastor, the book Spiritual Depression by D. M. Lloyd-Jones, and another book by a famous German author for lighter reading.

But the book I am really hooked on is the Bible, the Word of God. And here is the reason why I am hooked on the Bible:

All other books are written by humans, but the author of the Bible is God, the Holy Spirit.

“IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL.”

Notes taken from: “1000 Bible Readings,” by F. E. Marsh.

_______________________________________________________________________

AT THE BEACH

“Faith keeps the person who keeps the faith.”

I don’t know if you have heard that before.

How do you define FAITH? I read this definition: “Faith may be defined as saying ‘YES’ to the Saviour.”

Here are several people who said “YES” to the Lord Jesus Christ and received what they wanted.

A.  THE BLIND MAN

He gave the “YES” of faith to the ability to the Lord Jesus Christ.

B.  THE DISCIPLES

What did the disciples say? They said “YES LORD,” to the Lord’s question of teaching.

Keeping the FAITH at all times

C.  THE SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN

What was her reply? She said, “YES LORD,” to His designation of “dog”.

D.  MARTHA

Martha said “YES, LORD,” to the word of the Lord Jesus Christ.

E.  PETER

Peter said “YES, LORD,” to His question of love.

F.  JOHN

John said, “YES, LORD, COME,” to His announcement of His Second Coming.

G.  THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR EXAMPLE. What did He say? He said “YES FATHER,” to the will of the Father.

What is obedience? Obedience is the “YES” of faith to the Word of God, as we find it in the Bible. When we say “YES” in fulfilling the conditions of the Lord’s promises, He says “YES” to the prayer of our requests.

“Christian, keep the faith, but not from others.”

We want to encourage one another to do that until the Lord Jesus Christ returns.

“Hooked on Learning,” is the motto of the Mangonui School, I learned yesterday again, when I picked up a newsletter of the school at the Mangonui Four Square, Post Shop and  Kiwibank.

When I was young I was hooked on learning about foreign countries. Geography was the subject called when I went to school in Germany many years ago. The reason why I was especially hooked on Geography was that I wanted to go to the foreign places.

Mission Work in Thailand

Picture / Alan Collingwood

At one stage I knew all the countries of South America from memory including the capitals of the Countries. And how I liked to read all the books in our school library about places far away.

I collected also pictures from the different continents as a child. Whenever you bought margarine  you were given pictures to collect and to paste into a book. I remember being very eager to do so.

I did not manage to go to many foreign places, but to some. I travelled a bit in Europe, managed to get through the Suez Canal  just before the closure of the Canal. It must have been at the end of 1966 and the beginning of 1967. I travelled also a bit in Asia, worked for thirteen years as a missionary in Thailand, and I am living since the beginning of 1980 in the beautiful country of New Zealand.

For a long time and at the present time I am hooked on learning about the Bible, especially about HEAVEN, because I want to go there and I know that I am going there. The Bible teaches about God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Man and Creation, Angels and Satan, the Church and on Christian Living.

THE EAST COAST OF THE FAR NORTH OF NEW ZEALAND WHEN THE WATER IS A BIT ROUGH.

East Coast yesterday

East Coast yesterday

East Coast yesterday

East Coast yesterday

East Coast yesterday