“Family violence remains key issue for New Zealand,” I am reading in PANUI, a publication of the Ministry of  Women’s Affairs. (December 2011)

There are several initiatives in operation that work to bring the Family violence rate down:

There is the campaign called It’s Not Ok.

Another campaign is  the White Ribbon campaign.

The police is also focussing on Family violence.

Government agencies are also supportive in preventing and responding to Family Violence.

The same is true of non-government agencies.

The principal Family Court Judge said “that continuing investment in violence  programmes  and support for victims  of violence is needed.”

Who is attacking the family?

Satan is attacking the family! What are the defenses  against the attacks of the devil?

The best defense is the Word of God. The Bible, the Word of God is the “sword of truth.” We must put on the whole armour of  God.

We must read the Bible together as a family. We must change Family violence into family devotions. We must pray for one another daily by name . We must commit our marriage to Christ and make Him the center of our home.

“You must be thirsty after all that being awesome.” That was written at the top of one refrigerator. And at the top of the  second smaller fridge in the Subway restaurant I read “Feed your thirst”.

Our body thirsts for all sorts of drinks. And there are so many!

But what about our soul? What does our soul thirsts for?

The psalmist in psalm 42 in the Bible says that his soul thirsts for the living God.

We read about David in the Bible and his soul thirsts also for God. David says also that his soul thirsts for God like a parched land. Psalm 63:1; Psalm 143:6

Is your soul thirsting for the LIVING GOD?

There is an invitation to the thirsty at the beginning of chapter 55 in Isaiah. We are invited to come to the waters. And it is all free. Isaiah 55:1

And this is what the Lord Jesus Christ says in the gospel of John:

“‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’” - John 7:37,38

Come to the Lord Jesus Christ!

“When the mouth stumbles, it is worse than the foot.” – Coffee News, Vol 130:1

“Juvenile delinquency is the result of parents trying to raise their children without starting at the bottom.” – United Maori Mission (Inc) publication received today

What does it mean to start at the bottom?

Start with the BIBLE!

“These commandments that I give you today

Intr.:

are to be on your HEARTS.

1. IMPRESS THEM ON YOUR CHILDREN.

2. Talk about them

a. when you sit at home and

b. when you walk along the road,

c. when you lie down and

d. when you get up.

3. Tie them as symbols on your hands and

4. bind them on your foreheads.

5. Write them

a. on the doorframes of your houses and

b. on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-9

“Thought for the day”

“HAVE I NOT COMMANDED THEE? BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE THOU DISMAYED FOR THE LORD THY GOD IS WITH THEE WITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST.” – Joshua 1:9

I read that “Thought for the day” to one of my old friends here in Kaitaia in the library. His wife was also present.

You can find “The thought for the day” in one of our local papers, NORTHERN ADVOCATE, Friday, December 16, 2011.

The LORD had a task for Joshua, just as He has a task for us.

The Lord Jesus Christ is telling us what He wants us to be and what He does not want us to be.

He wants us to be strong and  of good courage, but He does not want us to be afraid and dismayed.

Why?

Because He is with us all the time.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

“Which book will keep you company over the summer months?”

That is one of the five questions amazing Kiwis (New Zealanders) are asked. ( Westpac magazine “love RED”, Issue 6-12 / 2011, page 24)

The theme is “MY SUMMER….”

Another question is “Where is your favourite New Zealand summer holiday destination?” Yet another question is “What is it about summer that you love the most?”

What is your answer to the question “WHICH BOOK WILL KEEP YOU COMPANY OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS?”

Here is my answer:

THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD!