Loneliness was the theme of one of the featured speakers at the Coopers Beach 2019 Easter Camp.

And what a pleasant surprise it was for me, because some time before attending the camp I bought a second-hand Good News Bible (Today’s English Version) for one dollar in Kerikeri.

It is a “Special Prison Artwork Edition,” and those who are familiar with that Bible will know that there are eight themes listed at the beginning of that edition, starting with “When you are lonely.” The second theme is “When you are afraid.”

“WHEN YOU ARE LONELY”

Underneath three verses from the Bible are listed, namely Psalm 139, Romans 8:31-39 and Isaiah 54:10.

A. Psalm 139:

Here we read in verse 1, “O LORD, your have searched me and you know me.” (David says that.)

B. Romans 8:31-39:

Here it says in verse 39, “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all the creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (This is written “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:”)

C. Isaiah 54:10:

Here we read, “… my unfailing love for me will never be shaken …” (This speaks about “The Future Glory of Zion.” )

LONELINESS seems to be in the news at the present time. But in one of the books in my library I read that there was lots of talk about loneliness in Germany already more than 50 years ago. And the pastor who is writing about it says that if we would love as the Bible tells us to love, we would be cured from our loneliness. Please read Matthew 22:35-39.

Here we are commanded to love God and our neighbor.

I believe that the further we get away from the commands in the Bible, the lonelier our planet becomes.

“The Happiest People on Earth,” is the title of a book in my small library by Demos Shakarian as told to John and Elizabeth Sherrill. Another book I bought second-hand. Demos Shakarian is the founder of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowhip International.

The happiest people on earth are of course the people who are born again (John 3:3), who are praying and reading the Bible. They are the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

***

Now in the Franchise New Zealand magazine Autumn 2019 I am reading something very encouraging.

Right at the beginning of the magazine is the story of a man who “became known as New Zealand’s ‘happiest cleaner’ on TV’s 3 popular show the Project.”

He is a franchisee with CreastClean franchise. His customers heard him singing while he was doing his work as a cleaner. He lives an Ashburton on the South Island of New Zealand.

***

Once more, the happiest people on earth are the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He became known as the happiest believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Will we ever be known like that, wherever we are?

What a CHALLENGE!

We are hearing and reading different messages.

“Believe in yourself,” I read some time ago on the upper garment of a person while visiting the New Lynn library in Auckland.

Being a reader of the Bible the beginning of a verse from the Bible came straight away to my mind, namely “‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, …'”

If you believe in yourself, you are not getting very far, but if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. You read that in the Bible in the New Testament, in the book called Acts, chapter 16, verse 31.

This is what it says in Acts 16:31: “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.'” (NIV)

“love the world you live in,” is another message I saw written also some time ago in Auckland.

The Bible says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” (1 John 2:15)

Are you listening to the messages of the humanists or other messages that are contradicting the Scriptures or are you listening to what the Word of God says?

I am listening to what the Bible teaches. I hope you do too.

“Need more information on borrowing?” it says at our local post shop.

Some questions are really difficult to answer; but not this one, and I am going to answer it. What I mean is that the question is not difficult for me to answer.

Another shop here in town advertises “Buy now Pay later.” Terms apply of course and conditions and fees as well. Those who are interested are advised to ask for details at the counter in the shop.

Another shop here encourages me like this: “Shop now … Pay later! Afterpay available instore now.”

My answer to the question at the beginning is this: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”

You find the answer in the Bible, in the book called Romans. (Romans 13:8)

No, I don’t need more information on borrowing.

“Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles.” – Ezra 9:4