Ineke’s Garden

Ineke’s Garden

by Ineke Cornish

Having moved to a new location, we have undertaken an extensive garden makeover to remove diseased trees, and rejuvenate tired and neglected garden beds and lawns.

The process was very involved. 

First we had to analyse such things as:

• ·       The slope of land,
• ·       The soil condition,
• ·       The drainage,
• ·       Light and shading,
• ·       And exposure to wind etc.

Secondly we had to map out our plans for the proposed new layout.  We also needed to decide on what we wanted out new garden to achieve. What was its new purpose, and how would it best enhance the environment or suit our lifestyle?

Having all the necessary information, we began the process of selecting and purchasing trees, shrubs and flowers; and then came the planting and nurturing of them.  Our new garden is now evolving and flourishing, with birds, bees and butterflies as regular welcome visitors.

Throughout this process I reflected that gardening has a number of similarities to the Christian life.

We might often be tempted to think our lives and circumstances are a matter of chance or luck, but even as each plant is carefully selected to grow to its potential, and in a particular place in the garden; so the Lord has placed each one of us where we can be most productive for Him.

 Nothing is left to chance when our lives are yielded to Him.

 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11. NKJV)

Roots are most important to the health and well-being of a plant.  Shallow roots are often the downfall of healthy looking plants, and will not withstand harsh conditions. To achieve the best results plants must be planted in deep, well- watered and fertile soil.

In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches about a sower sowing seed in various soils, and the resultant crops. He goes on to explain that this represents the kingdom of God, and how it is received by various individuals.

Unless we put down deep roots by “feeding” on God’s word, and living closely with Him, we too will find it hard to withstand the trials of life.

The care of a garden is ongoing, with watering, feeding and pruning, which must all be done regularly, if the garden is to thrive. 

Similarly the Lord provides and cares for us through out every aspect of our lives.

 John 15, gives a very helpful illustration about this. 

 ‘I am the vine and you are the branches, he who abides in Me and I in Him bears much fruit.’ (John 15:5. NKJV)

Are we producing good fruit, spreading the good news and enabling ourselves and others to grow?

The passage however goes on to warn us that if we are not ‘in the vine’ producing fruit, we will be cut off.  We cannot ignore these warnings; if we aren’t trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, we face eternal consequences.

The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23.NKJV)

Don’t leave your life to chance, make sure you accept His offer today and be assured of your destiny.

A Message from the Grave

A Message from the Grave

By

Mark

Jesus told the following story:

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

And he said, nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:19-31.

Notice the last verse!  

Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after he was tortured and killed.

In 1Corinthians 15:3-8, the Apostle Paul reported that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to Peter, then the twelve disciples, then more than 500 people, many who were still alive when he was writing to the Corinthians.

Jesus appeared to these people over 12 separate occasions, all except for Paul, within a 40 day period following the crucifixion.

Three times Jesus offered himself to be touched.  Twice he showed the scars from his crucifixion.

Three times he ate a meal with his disciples.

Four times witnesses responded to their encounter with Jesus by worshipping him.

The Apostle Paul encountered he risen Christ on the road to Damascus, where the apostle was going to persecute the church there.  SeeActs 9:1-19.

What further proof does a person need!

Once again look at the following two verses!

30 And he said, nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

He who has ears let him here!

Easter Reflections

Easter Reflections

by

Rev. R. Hall

The climax of Christ’s crucifixion comes when he cried in anguish from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The idea that the Father would allow his Son to suffer the torture of crucifixion is beyond me—the humiliation of nakedness, the searing pain, the smell of blood and sweat, the agony of tears, the spit of drunken soldiers, the scorn of a laughing, jeering mob.

As tears mingled with blood on his battered face, he cried out to his Father—the one who had not once turned away from him in all of eternity. The reply was cold, unmoving silence.

In those horrible moments God himself poured the judgment for our sins upon Jesus. Every sin imaginable: lusting and lying, cheating and coveting, murder and hypocrisy, cruelty and deceit. Of course, Christ had never been guilty of any of those sins. But we are. And every one of your sins and mine was racked up on his account right there on that cross.

As the prophet Isaiah testified:

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. . . .

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all”. (Isaiah 53:4–6)

So where was God's goodness in treating Christ so? Where was the Father's kindness in turning his back on his only Son while Jesus cried out in horror and grief?

On that terrible, wonderful day, God's goodness and kindness were directed toward you. God forsook his own Son so that he would never have to forsake you! And because of those dark hours two thousand years ago, God can say to you and me,

“I will never leave you. I will never forsake you."

As we ponder that amazing thought may the goodness of God lead us to repentance. To think that God's anger for my sins was poured out on Christ—and that he has no anger left for me!

Can a Leopard Change It’s Spots?

Can a Leopard Change It’s Spots?

When we hear somebody use the term, “a leopard can’t change its spots”, they are usually referring to a person who by nature is unquestionable.

The person they are referring too maybe:

• ·      A compulsive liar
• ·       A thief
• ·       An habitual adulterer of womanizer
• ·       Foul-mouthed or unable to hold their tongue
• ·       Full of all kinds of jealousy
• ·       Full of selfish ambitions
• ·       Envious of others and what they have
• ·       A drunkard
• ·       Etc.

The common view is that they are these things by nature and unable to change their ways.

From an earthly viewpoint, this saying is correct.  A person may try to change his or her character, but sooner or later they will go back to the way they were.

The angry person can take anger management classes; an alcoholic may join Alcoholics Anonymous with some success. Modern psychology may help some for a time, but the chances of success may not be great.

The Bible says that the real problem is as a result of man’s sin, and he or she is unable to change themselves.  Therefore a leopard cannot change its spots!

A Matter of Fitness

The Fitness Craze

Turn on the TV and it doesn't take long before you see someone touting the benefits of health and fitness. 
"Buy this gadget, slim down by drinking the latest gut buster drink, or follow my super fitness plan and you will lose..." 
It doesn't take long before you realize that fitness is big business.
People should be concerned about their physical health and fitness, but why is it that with all the money and resources put into promoting good health and fitness, research statistics show that we are in an obesity epidemic?

The God of Wonder

This week I have been pondering just how awesome God is.

The Bible says in Psalm 19 that, the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

This made me think about the size of the universe we live in.

 How big is the universe?

Astronomers estimate that the observable universe is about ninety billion light years across. (A light year is the distance that light travels in one year, at the rate of 186,000 miles per second).

The universe consists of countless millions of stars, planets etc. Scientists don't really know how large the entire universe is because they cannot see all of it.

Considering these mind blowing statistics, our earth is just a spec in the cosmic noise of space.

We are not here by chance!