“Nichts verbindet Menschenkinder so tief und so fest, als wenn sie gemeinsam auf den Heiland schauen.” – Friedrich von Bodelschwingh
Category Archives: Diary
“‘CHECK YOUR FUEL GAUGE'”
“‘Check your Fuel Gauge'” and “It’s a long way to the next fuel stop” says the advertisement (KAIHU MOTORS) in the TWIN COAST VISITOR GUIDE – Winter 2010.
Kaihu is a place not far from Dargaville in the north of New Zealand.
“‘Check your Fuel Gauge'”! Yes, let’s do it! Check the Fuel Gauge every day!
Do you guess already, what is on my mind? I am thinking about the QUIET TIME of the true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Second Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour….”
What does a plant require to grow? The answer is air, sunshine and food. What do our physical bodies require? The answer is food, sunshine and exercise. Our spiritual lives also need fuel. Our spiritual lives need nourishment every day.
The Christian that perseveres in the Quiet Time grows with the Lord. The Christian that does not persevere in the Quiet Time grows cold.
A good plan for the Quiet Time is half time reading the Bible of course and half time praying.
After Bible reading , record the answers to these questions. (One hundred Bible Lessons by A. Douglas, page 154)
1. What new thing have I learned today?
2. Is there a command for me to obey?
3. Is there an example for me to follow?
4. Is there an error for me to avoid?
5. Is there a sin for me to forsake?
6. Is there a promise for me to claim?
7. Is there a new thought about God himself?
Let the prayer contain four basic elements: (ACTS) (One hundred Bible Lessons by A Douglas, page 154)
1. Adoration.
2. Confession.
3. Thanksgiving.
4. Supplication.
“I MEDITATE ON YOUR PRECEPTS.” – Psalm 119:15
C. H. Spurgeon is asking the following question:
‘Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make such slow advances in the divine life?”
He has four answers:
1. “Because they neglect their times of prayer, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word.”
2. “They love the wheat, but they do not grind it;”
3. “they want to have the corn, but they will not go out into the field to gather it;”
4. “the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it;”
5. “the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it.”
“‘I picked up the gun and shot her'” – The New Zealand Herald, Tuesday, October 12, 2010
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. RETURN TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.”
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1. “I am the Lord your God,…… You shall have no other gods before me.”
2. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”
3. “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
6. “YOU SHALL NOT MURDER.”
7. “You shall not commit adultery.”
8. “You shall not steal.”
9. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:1-17
“A GLORIOUS HERITAGE”
“A Glorious Heritage.”
“A Glorious Heritage” I am reading on the poster. You can see the poster when you are looking through the big window of one of the many places here in Kaitaia (New Zealand) where you can buy cars.
It is all about the “Mitsubishi Motors’ Dakar Rally History” from 1983 until 2006. It is a joy to read about the glorious heritage of the rally history.
But I am more interested in the history of the church in New Zealand. Unfortunately the church history in New Zealand does not have a glorious heritage.
In the NZ BAPTIST (magazine) October 2010 I find an article called “Bad leadership scarred New Zealand church history” written by Murray Robertson. In the article we read that there are empowering leaders and that there are controlling leaders. Empowering leaders are good. Controlling leaders are bad. Murray Roberston is asking these questions: “Am I an empowering or controlling leader? If I am controlling, why do I feel the need to control others, rather than trust the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives?”
Today I picked up the WarCry issue 6502 at the SALVATION ARMY place here in Kaitaia and how glad I am to read about “leaders who empower” others on the back page of the magazine. These are the MISSION GOALS of the Salvation Army to 2013:
“1. Make Dynamic Disciples of Jesus.
2. Increase the Number of Soldiers.
3. Take Significant Steps to Eradicate Poverty & Injustice.
4. Be a Connected, Streamlined & Mission-Focused Army. – We want leaders who are known for their personal integrity and servant hearts- LEADERS WHO EMPOWER OTHERS.
ENGAGE EQUIP EMPOWER”
Is your leader controlling or empowering?
“…do the common things….in an uncommon way,…”
“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the whole world.” – George Washington Carver
Can someone tell me how to do that, please!
“Global Hand-Washing Day on October 15”
“GLOBAL HAND-WASHING DAY ON OCTOBER 15”
We are told in the local paper (Northern News, October 13, 2010) that proper hand-washing to prevent the spreading of diseases has become of critical importance.
Basically the message of UNICEF (acronym for United Nations Children’s Fund) is to set up the hand-washing habit in children at an early age.
The BIBLE, the Word of the Living God, has also a message for us and our hands. The BIBLE tells us also to wash our hands. Why? Because our hands are full of blood.
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SERMON OUTLINE – OT (NIV)
“YOUR HANDS ARE FULL OF BLOOD;
Isaiah 1:15-17
Intr.:
1. wash and make yourselves clean.
2. Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
3. Stop doing wrong,
4. learn to do right!
5. Seek justice,
6. encourage the oppressed.
7. Defend the cause of the fatherless,
8. plead the case of the widow.”
End:
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In James 4:8 we read: “Wash your hands, you sinners,…..” Wash your hands. Cleanse your hands – the outward instrument of action. Who can ascend into the hill of the Lord? Only the cleanhanded can ascend into the hill of the Lord. Only the cleanhanded can do that. Psalm 24:3 “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,…”
Only the justified through Jesus can do that. What does it mean to be justified? 1. Sinful man is forgiven. 2. Sinful man is declared righteous. 3. Sinful man is freed through faith from the penalty of his sin.
Justification is a gracious divine act.
A WEC* International Book: 139 pages, $7
GOD’S MIRACLE
ON COLLEGE DRIVE
An inspiring history of the WEK New Zealand
Missionary Training College, at Gordonton.
An in-depth record, from a distinctly local perspective,
capturing recollections and insights of the founding personnel
involved, as the vision became reality.
A 10th ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE: 1996-2006
by Lynn Clements
(From the front cover!)
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*To find out more about WEC International visit: www.wecnz.org