NHCF Blog

by Luke KincaidI really enjoyed teaching on the fruit of kindness at the start of our online KICS lessons yesterday. What I enjoyed most about it was being reminded of the fact that the only reason we can share true kindness with others is because of the kindness God has shown us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of kindness in us, and share it with those in need, Got Questions helps us remember all the ways in which God has first shown this kindness to us, His children: Kindness is the characteristic that led God to provide salvation for us (Titus 3:4-5; Romans 2:4; 11:22).Kindness leads God to give us green pastures, quiet waters, and the restoration of our souls when we’re weary (Psalm 23:2-3). It is God’s tender care that makes Him want to gather us under His wings, to protect us and keep us close to Him (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 61:4; Matthew 23:37).God expressed kindness when He provided for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath during a drought—and He showed more kindness later when He raised the widow’s only son from the dead (1 Kings 17:8-24).When Sarah exiled Hagar and Ishmael, God gave the outcasts kindness in the form of water and hope (Genesis 21:9-21).On multiple occasions, kindness induced Jesus to stop what He was doing and help others in need (Mark 6:34; Mark 7:29; Mark 10:46-52). And kindness leads the Good Shepherd to rescue us when we stray (Luke 15:3-7). In kindness He “gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11) As we can see God has been so kind to us in so many different ways and we have the amazing privilege of sharing this kindness with the world around us. I can’t think of a single person who wouldn’t want to experience a little more kindness in their lives and it’s incredible to think that people can experience God’s kindness through us. And when experienced, kindness has the ability to multiply itself as genuine kindness is contagious. So one act of kindness can actually impact many people’s lives! So let’s ask The Holy Spirit to lead us to people this week who are in need of God’s kindness and let’s go and change some lives through God’s power!Much love,Luke

by Calven CelliersSpring is without a doubt my favourite time of the year, and I have so enjoyed focusing on little lessons out of the garden for my blog posts this month. As I wonder around the garden, one of my all-time favourite shrubs is the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” (Brunfelsia pauciflora). This magnificent addition to any garden, especially at this time of year, has a mass of sweet-scented flowers that change colour day by day. They begin as purple, fading to pale lavender, and then to white. You’ve no doubt heard it said that ‘the only constant is change’, that everything flows and nothing stands still. Seasons change. People age. Civilizations rise and fall. Is there anything truly consistent? Is there any firm truth we can hold on to in a world that is always shifting? Many, if not all of us, are facing a lot of uncertainty right now, and as I stood before the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” shrub, admiring the wonder before me, inhaling its pleasing aroma, I was once again reminded of the wonderful truth that is ours as God’s children. Yes! God is constant; constant in an ever-changing world.  He Himself tells us that He does not change:“6 I the Lord do not change…” (Malachi 3:6NIV)God will always do what He says He will do. Time does not affect God. He is still the same holy, amazing, kind God He was when He created the world. No matter how uncertain your life looks right now, you can trust in God’s constant love and faithfulness. He has always been here and what’s more He always will be! At a time in world history where nothing seems the same and many of us are contemplating if anything will ever be the same again, I want for us to be reminded of the following verse, because it shows the immutability of Christ!“8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8NLT)In the original text the word used for “same” means that Jesus is unchangeable! What good news this is in a world where things are changing at lightning speed. Jesus is the one Person we can depend on. We don’t need to refigure who Jesus is, what He thinks, or what His message is, because He is the same — and everything He represents is the same — yesterday, today, and forever!I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful that with all the sweeping changes happening in the world right now, Jesus isn’t one of them! Whoever He was in the past is who He is in the present and who He will be forever!In light of this wonderful truth, I want to encourage you to dig deep into the Word — particularly the four gospels where Jesus is so vividly portrayed. What Jesus said and did in the four gospels is exactly what He is saying and doing now, and the reality is that if you come to know the Jesus on those pages, you will come to know and experience the Jesus…

by Graham MolIn the song Blessed Be Your Name written by Matt Redman and his wife Beth, there is a part of the song that says the following:You give and take awayYou give and take awayMy heart will choose to sayLord blessed be Your name These words are a reference to Job's cry in the Bible when he lost both all his wealth and all his children:20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,and naked I will depart.The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:20-21 NIV)This is not an easy thing to do, to praise God even in the midst of pain and suffering. At the same time it is one of the most beautiful and powerful witnesses of God's enduring love through it all. I will never forget hearing these words being sung by a friend who had experienced incredible loss. From that place of pain and loss he still lifted his voice and sang those words from the song. Choosing to praise the Lord rather than curse.Once again, the words of Job show such spiritual maturity, even when his own health is taken from him.His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:9-10)"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" These are challenging words. Do we only praise God when we receive good things? Are we only faithful in our worship when things are going well? Do we trust God enough with our pain?The book of Job teaches us that suffering is a complex issue that we will all face on this earth. And many times it will not make sense. Yet through it all, and despite it all, God is still in control. We know that He loves us and wants the best for us. Jesus' death on our behalf is proof of the depth of that love. When we know the truth of that love in our hearts, we will find that no matter what happens, good or bad, our "heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name."God BlessGraham

by Caryl MollI have a vivid memory of my father in the lush vegetable garden below our old farmhouse.  As a young child, he’d take my small hand and lead me through it – patiently explaining all the plants and pointing out the birds that would annoyingly steal his fruit.  The garden supplied all our household produce and my father tended it lovingly. He particularly enjoyed showing it off and I was a receptive ear during those early morning inspections.I remember him in his farmer’s attire – a standard issue ‘Safari suit’ with long socks and old weathered ‘veldskoens’. His sweaty, faded hat completed the look. It spoke of wisdom and confidence. These were happy times.“Come Caryl,” he called with outstretched arms. In an instant I was skipping from foot to foot and reaching up towards him. With a wide smile, he’d scoop me up in his arms and hold me high. “Look at the view,” he’d laugh.I was suspended precariously and it left me shaking with anticipation. And then, he’d suddenly reposition his large, strong hands and adjust his hold. I found myself ‘seated’ in his hands with his arms acting as the ropes on an imaginary swing. I shrieked in delight.“Hold on tight,’ he laughed as then the fun began… My “Daddy” would explode into a sprint with me in hand.  Sometimes he’d lose his hat. As he ran, he’d bring me low towards the ground – almost skimming the sandy path. Then he’d lift me high… almost upside down. I felt like I could reach the clouds. Suddenly he’d stop and swing me in circles. The breeze fluttered my pony-tail and my giggles echoed across the garden.These special moments seem suspended in time. I was so happy to be with my “Daddy” - just me and him. I was filled with the joy and delight of being loved. There were no worries because my ‘Daddy’ was the champion of my world.“That’s enough now.” He’d plant me firmly on the ground and take long, deep breaths to regain his rhythm. Then he’d reach for my hand as we strolled back to the farmhouse.---xXx---Our earthly fathers play such an important role in our early childhood development. They are tasked with nurturing our talents and giving us direction. My own father, although complex, was a good example of a caring, loving Dad. Yes, he had his faults, but he was my protector and the man I looked up to. I idolised him.Dad gave me an appreciation for the landscape which was our home.  I followed him everywhere. I was sensitive to his moods and learned from them too. I knew when he was hopeful for his harvest, worried about his farm stock or angry because things had gone wrong. Through him I shaped my own ideas of how to treat people, respond to authority and nurture a family. I learned his routines, adopted his principles and followed his orders implicitly. He and my mother became the framework for my own…