NOT FAR FROM WHERE WE LIVE: Sun, Clouds and Trees.

“As long as he [Uzziah] sought the LORD, God gave him success.” – 2 Chronicles 26:5

“Let’s be honest, one of the spiritual grenades often lobbied at The Salvation Army is that we are more concerned with serving soup than saving souls, says the editor of the WAR CRY. (War Cry, Issue 6693)

Now, what does the BIBLE say about “teaching the word of God” and “running a food program”?

Let us read Acts chapter six, the verses 1-7! (NIV) Please read Acts 6:1-7 also in the New Living Translation.

Acts 6:2: “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.'”

In Acts chapter 6 verse two we are reading about the “ministry of the word of God” and the responsibility “to wait on tables”.

FOOD: Spiritual food.

A. “THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD”.

The Twelve gave their attention to two things:

First to PRAYER and Second TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.

B. THE RESPONSIBILITY “TO WAIT ON TABLES”.

The following seven men were responsible to wait on tables: Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas from Antioch.

FOOD: Physical food.

They were not only full of the Spirit, but also full of wisdom. About Stephen it says that he was not only full of the Spirit and wisdom, but also full of faith.

Let us ask today the question: Are we neglecting the “ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables”?

“SIGNS”

“Signs of the End Times!” is the article on the last page of the magazine I found today in our letter box called.

For quite some time now I have noticed two things: People are travelling all over the  world and  women pushing for leadership. With other words the TRAVEL SIGN and the WOMEN RULE SIGN.

The Bible is talking about the Travel Sign in Daniel 12:4. There we read:

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (RSV)

At our Flight Centre here in Kaitaia you can see a big poster at the present time and on the poster it says: “Fly free to Europe when you book selected river cruises.”

Also in one of our papers today I am reading about a couple who have been married for 65 years and they have been to 73 countries, imagine 73 countries. (By the way, they say, that patience is  the key to staying together and communication is also important.)

“SIGNS”

The Bible is talking about the Women Rule Sign in Isaiah 3:12. There we read:

“My people – children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your leaders mislead you, and confuse the course of your path . (RSV)

Women are at the top and have been at the top in New Zealand as Prime Minister, Governor General. Attorney General and Chief justice.

“DISCOVERY UPDATE” is the magazine called I found in the Mail box today and there are in fact 20 End Times Signs listed, if I have counted them correctly.

PAIHIA BAPTIST CHURCH: The Cross can be seen from the wharf.

“Asa did what was good and right

Second Chronicles 14:2-5

Introduction:
in the eyes of the LORD his God.

1. He removed the foreign altars and
2. the high places,
3. smashed the sacred stones and
4. cut down the Asherah poles.
5. He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and
6. to obey his laws and his commands.
7. He removed the high places and
8. incense altars in every town in Judah,

End:

and the kingdom was at peace under him.”

PAIHIA BAPTIST CHURCH: The Cross can be seen from the wharf.

“STORE UP”

Matthew 6:19-21

Introduction:

“Do not store up … ”  “But store up …”

A.  “‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

a.  where moth and rust destroy, and

b.  where thieves break in and steal.

B.  But store up for yourselves treasury in heaven,

a.  where moth and rust do not destroy, and

b.  where thieves do not break in  and steal.

End:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'”

THE HEART: The heart is where our treasure is.