Monthly Archives: November 2018

COOPERS BEACH in the Far North of New Zealand

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COOPERS BEACH: Locality, 2 km west of Mangonui.

COOPERS BEACH: On the southern shore of Doubtless Bay.

COOPERS BEACH: Backed by mature Pohutukawa Trees.

COOPERS BEACH: Surfing is only occasionally satisfactory.

COOPERS BEACH: Public access is gained by the stream.

COOPERS BEACH: Nearly one and a half  miles long.

COOPERS BEACH: The sand is firm.

COOPERS BEACH: Swimming is safe for all ages.

COOPERS BEACH: The quality of the water in the stream is considered unsatisfactory.

COOPERS BEACH: There is also a playground for children.

Sources of JOY

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WE ARE NOT FAR FROM THE BEACHES: And I love the beaches!

In his book Knowing and Doing the Will of God (Daily Devotions) J.I. Packer is writing about 4 sources of joy on November 22.

Reading about the “second source of joy” is a real encouragement for me:

“THE SECOND SOURCE OF JOY IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF ONE’S SITUATION AS GOOD. CHRISTIANS CAN DO THIS EVERYWHERE AND ALWAYS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT CIRCUMSTANCES AND EXPERIENCES, PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT ALIKE, ARE PLANNED OUT FOR THEM BY THEIR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER AS PART OF THEIR PREPARATION FOR GLORY.”

I hope you are also encouraged while reading the above.

From a long time ago I remember the following:

“THE GOD OF ETERNITY IS THE GOD OF EVERY HOUR AND MINUTE FOR A BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST.”

“BY PERSEVERING ACHIEVE”

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The Bible considers those who have persevered blessed. Readers of the Bible know that. James writes about that in his letter in chapter five, verse eleven.

About Moses it says in the Bible in Hebrews 11:27, “He persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

Have you heard about Job in the Bible? You probably have.

“…, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

In James 5:11 it says about Job, “You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.” Job was not only tested once but twice. In both tests he “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing”, and he “did not sin in what he said.”

In Job chapter one in the verses 13-19 he receives four messengers.

THE MESSAGE OF THE FIRST MESSENGER: He tells Job about the attack of the Sabeans, the killing of the servants and the carrying away of the oxen and donkeys.

THE MESSAGE OF THE SECOND MESSENGER: He tells Job about the fire of God falling from the sky and the burning up of the sheep and the servants.

THE MESSAGE OF THE THIRD MESSENGER: He tells Job about the three raiding parties of the Chaldeans, the carrying off of the camels and the killing of the servants.

THE MESSAGE OF THE FOURTH MESSENGER: He tells Job about the killing of his sons and daughters.

And what brought the Lord finally about? The last chapter of the book of Job tells us that  “The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” Read about the blessing in Job 42:12-15.

James 5:11 says, “The LORD is full of compassion and mercy.”

Achievement is the blessing of those  who have persevered.