Monday, April 30, 2018

Travelling

Travelling

by
Ineke Cornish

Recently I’ve been on the road more than usual and often during peak times where congested roads and traffic snarls are the norm.
Frequently, as traffic grinds to a halt, drivers demonstrate aggression or impatience and even foolhardiness in trying to get to their destination faster.

At other times I’ve enjoyed the peacefulness and beauty of country roads, and constantly marvel at God’s wonderful creation.

Travelling and living the Christian life has many similarities.

 Planning the Journey

Before setting out we need to plan the route; in the past it meant poring over maps to learn which streets to use and the ones to avoid. Of course today we mostly use a GPS.
 As a Christian it’s also vitally important to plan life’s journey. We need to be studying God’s word every day to avoid pitfalls and to know His will for our lives. -  see Proverbs 2:6-9 and also Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths”

 Signposts

 Along every road there are signs, some warning of dangers, some indicating speed limits or altered conditions, some advertising attractions and events or maybe even relating to political or social issues. We can choose to ignore these signs (often to our own detriment) or take appropriate steps to ensure our safety and that of others.

Life’s like that too; our lives are often distracted by things that take our attention away from the Lord and we neglect the signposts in the Bible. There are many that warn, instruct, correct and challenge.

  “All Scripture is given by inspiration from God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2Timothy 3:16.

Focusing on the Destination

Ultimately when we begin a journey, we look forward to reaching our destination. There may be diversions or delays that alter our initial plan, but eventually we hope to arrive safely and on time. Also, when we do reach the end of our journey we anticipate we will be expected and welcomed.
The Christian too looks forward to reaching the end of his journey, and the Bible is very explicit and expansive on this subject.  In John 14:1-3 Jesus tells us “in My Father’s house are many mansions… and “I go to prepare a place for you.”

In Hebrews11:16, we read of an eternal heavenly city while Revelation 21 and 22 describes in glorious detail a new heaven and a new earth, where God will dwell among His people and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

All those who through faith, and only by grace, trust in the redeeming work of our Saviour, Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary are assured of their place in Heaven, and a welcome like none other!

Make sure today that you are heading for that destination.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Running Our Race


Running Well.


In Australia, we have just finished the Commonwealth games.  Athletes and sportsmen/women from all over the British Commonwealth have been competing for prizes of gold, silver and bronze medals, fame, and sponsorship deals. 
There have been tears of joy for the winners, and tears of disappointment and shattered dreams for the losers.

With the games over, the Gold Coast is now returning back to normal as the athletes, officials and spectators head home to their normal lives.

At this time I am reminded that the Christian life is like an athlete running a race.  The Apostle Paul uses this analogy in the New Testament.

How are we to run this race of life?

We are to run our race with:
  • Endurance.  When the problems of life overwhelm us, we must run with the endurance of a marathon runner.


“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 NKJV.

  • A good fight.  What is meant by a good fight?  This means we run our race with fairness, honesty, wellness and worthy of the prize.


“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV.

  • Keeping your eye on the prize.  A sprinter concentrates only on the finish line.  If he wants the prize at the end of the race, he or she cannot let anything outside of their lane distract them from the tape at the finish line.


“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Phillipians 3:14 NKJV.

We are not running for gold, silver or bronze medals, but we are running for prizes of greater value.

What are some of these prizes?

1.     The Crown of Glory.

“and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4 NKJV.

2.     The Crown of Life.

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NKJV.

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 NKJV.

3.     The Crown of Rejoicing.

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”  1 Thessalonians 2:19 NKJV.

4.     The Crown of Righteousness.

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:8NKJV.

So! Run your race well and look toward the prize.

Monday, April 9, 2018

AUTUMN REFLECTIONS

 AUTUMN REFLECTIONS   

by   

Ineke Cornish 


 I love autumn, particularly the changing colours of the leaves on deciduous trees. I love the harvest time; freshly picked apples, blackberries, pumpkins etc., the mellow days and cooler nights.
Autumn is a transition time; a time to look back in thankfulness on the blessings of summer, but also a time to prepare for the colder weather which will inevitably arrive.

Our Christian walk draws many similarities to the seasons; as they come and go.
Life is also constantly changing and challenging.  We only need to turn on our TV’s to realize our children are growing up in a much different world to the one we knew. Our personal circumstances also change – health and physical stamina deteriorate with age, kids leave home, loved ones pass away…

 The one thing, the one Person who NEVER changes is our loving eternal God.  ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’ Hebrews 13:8.

The God who has been ‘our help in ages past will be our hope for years to come’ It is only in Him we can confidently and with unshakable faith face the future, whatever it may bring.
Autumn is a great time to reflect on your relationship to Jesus Christ, if you have never made a commitment to Jesus, do so now before it’s too late, before winter comes. 
If you do know Jesus as your personal Saviour, stay close to Him in this changing season.

Sunday, April 1, 2018

A Message From The Grave

A Message From The Grave

By
Mark Adams

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!