https://youtu.be/2a9JxTU_KjQ?t=1725 Audio Recording Our love for God is best illustrated and demonstrated by how we love others. Jesus raises the bar on the golden rule – to treat others as you want to be treated by others – and goes one step further by asking us to love others as He has loved us. The next day, He demonstrated this love by giving His very life for us. Sermon by Calven Celliers Download the Summary
by Calven CelliersThis past week I was involved in a bumper bashing. Thankfully no one was injured , but my vehicle definitely came off second best. No doubt, every one of us have had our fair share of accidents in life. If not in a car, then perhaps we’ve injured ourselves, or at some point we’ve fallen down. Ironically, falling down is part of growing up.As far as the record of history and the record of God's Word goes, we as believers do not have any promise that we will escape suffering. In fact, in the Gospel of John Jesus made it quite clear that “33In this world you will have trouble.” (John16:33NIV) As I contemplated this issue, I found myself reading an online article ‘The Reality of Accidents’ in which the author made the following four observations regarding the events of life and the categories they fall into. EVENTS WHICH GOD PLANS – These events have to happen because they are a part of God's purpose, and they are predestined. They cannot not happen. EVENTS WHICH GOD PREVENTS – These are things that would have happened if God had not stepped into history and by His providence prevented. EVENTS WHICH GOD PROHIBITS – These are all the things that God forbids. These things do take place, however, because God has given man the freedom of choice. God does not will these events, nor does He prevent them. EVENTS WHICH GOD PERMITS – These are events which God has not planned, but neither has He prohibited, or prevented them. This is where we put accidents. Accidents are events which God did not plan to happen, nor did man choose to happen. They happen because of mistaken judgments, carelessness, and unawareness of the consequences of what is being done. No matter how you look at it, the reality of life on this side of eternity is that there isn’t a human being alive on this planet who isn’t acquainted with troubles. The great comfort for all who believe, however, is found in Jesus follow up statement, “33In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33NIV)Jesus doesn’t want us to be under any false illusion that life in this fallen world will be full of ease and comfort. Life is tough, accidents happen. The Bible, far from dodging this fact, acknowledges it and embraces it. Jesus himself guaranteed it. And instead of promising to eliminate trouble from our lives, Jesus instead promises to give peace and comfort in the midst of trouble. The finished work of Christ removes the teeth from suffering. By entering into our world and suffering alongside us, Jesus offers certain hope that transcends the temporal sorrow and suffering this world throws at us. “17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”…
by John Doyle"Call unto me and I will answer there and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3It all began in a garden, a luxurious garden abounding with magnificent plants, trees, and flowers. The garden of Eden. Imagine being there and smelling the fragrances of the orchids, roses, and gardenias. Brilliantly colored leaves and blossoms surround you. Wondeful fruits and vegetables are your nourishment, always ripe and ready to eat, washed by the tumbling waterfall. Sweet birdsong mingles with the golden warmth from the Heavenly Father’s love. Absent of any diseases, destruction, and Covid. No disappointments, this garden was the place of perfection. Paradise, a place our hearts still long for and desire.This first garden, the dwelling place of God, is one reason gardening speaks so deeply to my heart. I love being outdoors in an open space with the warm glow of sunshine. The sound of the birds, the fresh smell of soil and compost , the beauty of colorful flowers, and the promise of growth that comes from feeding and watering and it all brings me a great joy.My garden is certainly not the Paradise of Heaven, but it is the special place I meet with my Heavenly Father, and sit on our daughter Kimmies memorial bench and have a precious quiet time with the Lord.In the Love of the Lord JesusJohn and Barbara
by Graham MolI love the sound of gentle rain. As I sit here typing up this blog post now that our load shedding block has passed (thanks Eskom!) I am delighted by the sound of rain falling. This kind of weather brings happy memories of my journey with the Lord. The drizzle reminds me of sitting on the porch of the mess hall at Heron Ridge where we were on a Church Family Camp. While the drizzle fell we each found a space to sit quietly to do our morning devotion before gathering inside to share in breakfast. I also associate this kind of weather with the time I was in our Church youth group, meeting at our youth leader's house for weekly fellowship. It must have been a rainy month and as a result when I think of this weather I think of the time we shared in God's word, growing in wisdom and stature ourselves as we laughed, prayed and cried together.There is a worship song that goes: "Mercy is falling, is falling, is falling. Mercy it falls as the sweet spring rain" The life giving rain that falls is often a reminder of God's grace and provision. In the Old Testament we read of times that God brought drought as judgement against the wickedness of His people. The return of the rain would then signify His forgiveness and mercy.In the book of Deuteronomy there is a song of Moses that begins this way:Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.2 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew,like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. (Deuteronomy 32:1-2)God's word is like the fresh rain that brings nourishment and life to us. Whether we receive this word through our own devotional reading of the Bible, or through the community of others as we teach, love and support one another, it soaks into our souls bringing refreshment and newness of life. God BlessGraham