From Bible school I remember that Joshua 21:45 is the key verse of the book of Joshua.

There it says:

“Not one of all the LORD’S good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

I am making an effort to remember PROMISES from the Bible. I think I can say the following without looking at them in the Bible:

Bible school BRAKE in Germany

A. First John 1:9

B. First Corinthians 3:11

C. Second Corinthians 3:17

D. James 4:2

E. Second Chronicles 20:12

F. Colossians 1:17

G. First John 3:8

H. Revelation 12:11

Charles Haddon Spurgeon says: “NO PROMISE  IS FOR PRIVATE INTERPRETATION. WHATEVER GOD HAS SAID TO ANY ONE SAINT, HE HAS SAID TO ALL.”

Have you ever asked yourself that question?
I have read a lot. You have probably also read a lot. I have  also heard many sermons.

I am asking myself now:

“What have I done with all the things I have read and heard in the past and what am I going to do with all the things I am going to read and hear in the future?”

I have decided to ask myself from now on seriously the following six questions:

Number ONE:

WHAT STANDS OUT TO ME IN WHAT I HAVE READ JUST NOW?

Number TWO:

WHY DOES IT STAND OUT?

Number THREE:

IS THERE AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ME?

Number FOUR:

IS THERE A CHALLENGE FOR ME?

Number FIVE:

IS THERE AN INSPIRATION FOR ME?

Number SIX:

HOW DO I APPLY WHAT I HAVE READ JUST NOW IN MY OWN LIFE? (Most important!)

The six questions must be memorized of course. That should be quite easy.

I am also glad that there are others who want to remember the things they have read and heard and want to learn from the things they have read and heard.

What I have read in the WAR CRY, Issue 6637, page 13, has helped me to come up with the 6 questions above.

AT THE BEACH

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it,” the  Psalmist says  in Psalm 118:24.

There is also a hymn called “This is the day.” It has three verses and this is the beginning of verse one:

“This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.”

I noticed just now that I can say Psalm 118:24 from memory in English and German, but not quite word-perfect, and so far as I can remember I have also sung the hymn “This is the day,” although I am not at all a good singer.

Today I picked up a very old Reader’s Digest and reading one story did not only challenge me but also encouraged me and inspired me to be glad and rejoice TODAY.

A church sign says, “Today is a gift from God; that’s why it is called: ‘The Present’.”

The story in the Reader’s Digest tells the story of a man who was only 67 when he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The final words of the man were:

“‘LIFE WITH ALL ITS LIMITATIONS, OBSTACLES AND PAIN  IS STILL A TREASURE.'”

The story is called  “Celebrate TODAY,” and you find it almost at the end of the July 2006 Reader’s Digest. (BOOK BONUS)

One more flower

“WHEN I SAY TO THE WICKED, O WICKED MAN, YOU SHALL SURELY DIE, AND YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO WARN THE WICKED FROM HIS WAY, THAT WICKED MAN SHALL DIE IN HIS PERVERSITY AND INIQUITY, BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT YOUR HAND.” – Ezekiel 33:8

World Famous Staircase in Awanui N/Z

“ACT AND GOD WILL ACT,” is a quote by Joan of Arc, who lived from 1412-1431. At the age of 19 she was burned at the stake.

I (we) experienced that the Lord will act when we act in Kaikohe many years ago while working there as missionaries in a special way. (United Maori Mission)

I remember Monty Tito, who did not only preach in the church, but also on the street.

He had also musical gifts. The day came when the Lord gave him the vision to raise up a group of musicians, a band, playing together and going places.

We called the band “GET REAL”.

One place we went to was a Marae not far from Ohaiawai. For those who do not know a Marae is a Maori Meeting house and its buildings.

I still remember the speaker of the evening. His wife was very much involved in getting the Bible into the schools.

But what a joy it was to see how the community worked together, I was so impressed with the work done in the kitchen and the food provided.

It is true, “ACT AND GOD WILL ACT”.

Entering at the present time the Salvation Army place here in Kaitaia on Commerce Street you cannot miss the “QUOTES TO LIVE BY” by Martin Luther King Jr stuck to the wall above the book table. One of the quotes says:

“FAITH IS TAKING THE FIRST STEP WHEN YOU DON’T SEE THE WHOLE STAIRCASE.”