“We’re taking action to make our Whanau (Family) stronger,” I am reading on the shopping bag I received while attending the “White Ribbon Whanau Day”  in Kaitaia. (See separate post!)

The shopping bag was not empty. On my arrival home a “HUGS NOT THUGS” shirt was discovered inside the bag.

I have learned that a Christian Family is not only the salt of civilization, but also the backbone of the nation. The Christian Family is the backbone of our beautiful country New Zealand. A Christian home consists of people who fear the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a God – fearing Dad, a God – fearing mother and there are God – fearing kids.

GOD – FEARING PARENTS AND CHILDREN MAKE STRONG FAMILIES!

I am talking here about Holy fear.

What is your answer if someone asks you to define “fear of the Lord?”

Let us find out what the Bible, the Word of the Living God, says about the FEAR OF THE LORD. Here are some descriptions:

The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is a shunning of evil and the beginning of wisdom. If you want to be wise, you must fear the Lord Jesus Christ. The fear of the Lord is also a treasure and a fountain of  life. In Psalm 19:9 it says that the fear of the Lord is clean. That means that the fear of the Lord is sancitifying. The fear of the Lord endures forever and is godly. (Proverbs 8:13; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 15:16; Isaiah 33:6; Proverbs 14:27; Psalm 19:9; Hebrews 12:28)

Do you have Holy Fear? Holy fear is Godgiven.

According to Martin Luther, the natural man cannot fear God perfectly.

Finished reading the book MOUNTAIN RAIN, A NEW BIOGRAPHY OF JAMES O FRASER by Eileen Crossman. (184 pages)

Quote from the book:

“Just as a plant may die for lack of watering, so may a genuine work of God die and rot for lack of prayer.” – James O Fraser

WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?

“This questionnaire does not address a candidate’s character – only where they stand on certain issues,” I am reading in a Family First NZ publication.

The questionnaire encourages us to value our vote in the Election 2011. Why should we value our vote? Because the politicians we elect will influence our family.

Where do party leaders and we stand on family issues?

Thirty issues are listed in the questionnaire. Here are the first three:

— Define marriage as one man and one woman

— Policies promoting marriage

— Parents as primary responsibility – not government

Where do our leaders stand and where do we stand on family issues – and other issues ?

We can support, oppose, be undecided or refuse to say.

I define marriage as one man and one woman. I support policies promoting marriage. I support parents as primary responsibility – not the government.

Why do I do that?

Let me tell you where I stand on spiritual issues:

For me the Bible does not contain the Word of God, for me the Bible IS the word of  God. For me the Bible is the guide book to everlasting life.

And let me tell you, that makes all the difference!

One of the hymns I really like singing is “Standing on the Promises.” The hymn has five verses and here is verse four:

“Standing on the promises I now can see perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, standing on the promises of God.”

“My Christmas is….”

The Collins Concise Dictionary:

“the annual commemoration by Christians of the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25.”

“Also called: Christmas Day. December 25, observed as a day of secular celebrations when gifts and greetings are exchanged.”

**************

“My Christmas is…….”

the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25.

What is Christmas for you?

“Each Moment is a gift…”

We are encouraged to support breast cancer research and we are also told how we can do that.

I am reading that ailments and calamities teaching us that life is a gift.

“We’ve all been  fortunate to have been reminded that life is a gift, and the best thing we can do with it is to live it.”

That’s what Terry Kearns is writing in an article about the “7414 earthquakes over 11 months” in Christchurch/NZ. ( Older & Bolder, September/October 2011, Auckland Edition)

But how are we to live our lives?

I want to live my life according to the Bible, the Word of the Living God. That’s why I like to read God’s Word.

The Bible urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. We must “live a life worthy of the Lord” and a life that pleases him “in every way”.

What should be our ambition? Our ambition should be to “lead a quiet life”. Our daily life should “win the respect of outsiders”. How is that possible? Our ambitions should be “to mind our own business” and to work with our own hands.”

What does it mean to live a life worthy of our calling? We must “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love .” We must be “Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strenghtened with all power according to his glorious might…”

Please read Ephesians 4:1,2; Colossians 1:10,11 and First Thessalonians 4:11,12

People won’t seek

They have to be sought-

People won’t come

They have to be brought-

People won’t learn

They have to be taught-“

“Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, was booked to come home on furlough. The pastor announced, ‘Come and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.'”