Mangonui in the Far North of New Zealand

In the early 1900’s a German, Gustav Leser, lived on Thomas Street. The building in which he lived was known as the “toy store”.

Waterfront Road and Thomas Street at Mangonui.

A replica of the Gustav Leser’s tiny “Toy Store” at Mangonui.

Today at Mangonui.

FREEDOM

“Destination Sun – Sand – Sea”.

“Hunting”, “Fishing”, and “One Free Kiwi”, was written on the front and the back of the camper I saw today. (For those who don’t know New Zealanders call themselves Kiwis.)

Campers, vehicles equipped for camping out, are often seen here in the streets of Aotearoa, New Zealand. On many you can see written “Freedom”.

Do you also love the word FREEDOM?

If you do, then listen carefully.

We read a lot about freedom in the Gospels and the letters of the Apostle Paul in the Bible. There we read also about the enemies from whom we must be liberated, namely sin, Satan, the law and death.

I love the hymn “Would you be free from your burden of sin?” by Lewis E. Jones. He gives also the answer, and the answer is “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the lamb.”

“Free from the law, O happy condition, …” is a hymn by Philip P. Bliss ed. by Lindsay Smith. The second verse begins with “Now we are free, there is no condemnation,…” That reminds me of Paul’s letter to the Romans, where it says at the beginning of chapter eight, “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, …” You find that in Romans 8:1.

God through the Lord Jesus Christ has freed His people from sin, Satan, the law and death.

The destination of the true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ is heaven, and I know that I am going there.

What is your final destination?

The Lord Jesus Christ says, “SO IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED.” – John 8:36

KAITAIA & DISTRICTS AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION: What a view.

Let us look at our life as a whole.

Let us get a bird’s – eye view of our whole life. Because I believe that it is essential that we must view our life from the end in order to understand it.

I think the bird’s – eye view  is described in the Bible, in the book called Ecclesiastes 7:1-2. There we read “and the day of death better than the day of birth,” and “for death is the destiny of every man.” It says there also, “the living should take this to heart.”

According to the Collins Concise Dictionary taking things to heart means to take things seriously. Let us therefore take seriously that “death is the destiny of all man.”

There are four enemies from whom we must be liberated. Death is one of them. The others are sin, Satan and the law.

God through the Lord Jesus Christ has freed His people from all four.

The sooner in life we are freed from from those four enemies, the better it is for us and the sooner we get a bird’s – eye view of our life, and our whole life takes a completely different direction.

I am speaking there from my own experience. I was still  in my teens when the Lord Jesus Christ found me and when I began to look at my life as a whole.

KAITAIA & DISTRICTS AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION: Bird’s – eye view.

Who knows the name of this flower. I don’t!

“After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” – 2 Corinthians 12:14

The Cross at the Paihia Baptist Church.

“Finally brothers,

2 Corinthians 13:13

good-by.

• Aim for perfection,
• listen to my appeal,
• be of one mind,
• live in peace.

End:

And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Who knows the name of this flower. I don’t!

“Ich habe dir also zur Pflicht gemacht: Sei stark und entschlossen! Habe keine Angst und verzage nicht! denn mit dir ist der HErr, dein Gott, bei allem, was du unternimmst.” – Josua 1:1 (uebersetzt von Hermann Menge)