Inspiring Women
MAR/APR 2011
Every Day
March
My Father is the Gardener Margaret Hughes
April
Christ’s cross – our redemption Christine Leonard
Plus … Special Article, Ministry Report and CWR Events Page
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Margaret Hughes Margaret Hughes is a school evangelist with OAC and an accredited counsellor. She is married with two grown-up children and two grandchildren and loves the outdoors, especially woods. Margaret uses her experiences as wife, mother, counsellor and gardener to apply God’s truths to everyday life. It is often outside in His creation that Margaret experiences God speaking to her, evoking ideas of growth, change and purpose. As she explores God’s Word with us, she believes God will bring ideas of recreation, renewal and refreshment as we take a journey of meditation and reflection, resting in His Word.
Chris Leonard Helped by a degree in English and theology and librarianship training, Chris Leonard has written 18 books for Christian publishers, ranging from biography to children’s stories, from devotional to resource material – and regular Bible-reading notes for BRF’s Day by Day with God. Chris also enjoys leading both regular and occasional creative writing workshops and several writing holidays each year. She says, ‘I enjoy finding out about people’s stories and watching them grow in confidence, writing ability and the Lord.’ Chris and her husband live in Surrey, England, and have two grown-up children. More information about Chris, her books, workshops and holidays, can be found at www.chris-leonard-writing.co.uk
Copyright © CWR 2010. Published by CWR, Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EP, UK. Tel: 01252 784700 Email: mail@cwr.org.uk Registered Charity No. 294387. Registered Limited Company No. 1990308. Front cover image: Getty Images/Tanaka Yosuke/Aflo. Concept development, editing, design and production by CWR. Printed in England by Linney Print. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of CWR. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are from the Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Other Scripture quotations are marked: NLT: Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
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My Father is the Gardener
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ecently we seem to have been experiencing extremes of weather – floods and also long, hot droughts. In the very dry times I like to picture the roots of my fruit trees stretching down towards the damp soil near the river close by. In Psalm 1 we see this inviting picture of a tree stretching its roots down to a stream; an image which can be applied to us, as Christians. In order for us to become like this fruitful tree, the psalmist begins by advising us of what to avoid. We will be blessed, or happy, if we refuse to be influenced by those who ridicule God or seek to draw us away from Him and His Word. This may seem obvious, but let’s consider what this may actually mean for us today. It’s so easy to be affected by family, friends and colleagues. After all, aren’t we encouraged to have non-Christian friends? Some of us may also be married to husbands who do not yet share our faith in Christ. How difficult it can be to stand out from the crowd … The picture of chaff blowing away in the wind is very powerful. It may seem harsh and judgmental, as if it is God who rejects and discards people. It may be more helpful and realistic to look at this imagery in another way. We have a choice: of a life that may become meaningless as we are blown this way and that by the whims of those around us, or of a fruitful life like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season – a beautiful image to meditate on. Take time if you can to picture yourself this way and to imagine the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) growing within you. This is the fruit that will bless us and others; fruit that will last forever.
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Tues Mar 1
Psalm 1 ‘Blessed is the man … like a tree planted by streams of water ...’ (vv.1,3)
For prayer and reflection Father, thank You for the springs of living water that will refresh and renew me every minute of every day.
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Wed Mar 2
Bruised but not discarded
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don’t have bruised reeds in my garden, but I do have plants that die, or become damaged or diseased, and these end up being dumped on the ‘A bruised reed he compost heap. will not break ...’ Bruised reeds can be seen as symbols of people, (v.3) especially those of us who are discouraged, oppressed or feeling damaged by life. In Isaiah’s time these reeds may have been used by children to make music. There would have been hundreds of them and they would have been useless and discarded, if damaged. But God isn’t like this. He doesn’t dump us. He knows exactly how we are feeling. He doesn’t give up on us, even when it seems that everyone else has. Paul was reminded that ‘[The Lord’s] power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9). It is often when we are at our lowest and weakest, when we are totally reliant on Him rather than on our own abilities, that God can and does touch us with His strength and compassion. Many of us will have felt despair and may have struggled with the question of suffering. We may doubt our ability to cope and even wonder whether God cares. There are not always easy answers but there is a God, the God who made you and loves you For prayer and even more than you can imagine, and He is with you reflection now, reaching out with understanding, sensitivity and compassion. For those who have passed through these dark, Lord God, thank bruised times it may be that God is calling you to use You that when I am bruised by life your experiences to minister to others. You may have You do not discard the empathy and sensitivity to meet people where me, but value and they are and hold them as they pass through similar experiences. uphold me. Isaiah 42:1–9
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Oaks of righteousness
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any of my family and friends know that I love trees. As I was reading Isaiah chapter 61 I had to pause when I came upon this verse and look at what it meant. An oak tree: possibly the ‘king’ of all trees; old gnarled branches spreading above me. I have heard that one oak tree can support hundreds, maybe thousands, of different species. So where was this thought going to take me? In these words recorded in chapter 61, the prophet Isaiah is bringing a message of hope and restoration to the people of Israel returning from exile to the ruins of Jerusalem; a theme also taken up by Jesus when He presents His mission statement to the crowds in Nazareth (Luke 4:18–19). This message speaks with relevance to those of us who may be feeling spiritually broken, uncertain of our future and struggling, as did the Israelites, to believe that God is at work. Jesus’ message of good news promises freedom, comfort and release, no matter how bleak and hopeless life may seem at the moment. As He heals and restores us we become a new creation, an oak of righteousness planted by God for His glory. A huge, fruitful oak tree in a land of desert scrub is a powerful and compelling image. Just take a moment now to meditate on that. Imagine or, if possible, look at a large tree; get a sense of its size, the sounds and movements, its strength and stability. What an awesome challenge that is for us. It seems incredible that God could view us in this way – as righteous and for the display of His glory and splendour. Will others experience the Lord’s splendour when they meet with us?
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Thurs Mar 3
Isaiah 61:1–11 ‘They will be called oaks of righteousness …’ (v.3)
For prayer and reflection Heavenly Father, please help me to look to You when life is tough and confusing. Show me today how I can be like an ‘oak of righteousness’.
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Fri Mar 4
What’s the difference?
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ometimes I find a plant growing in my garden and I’m not sure whether it is something I’ve planted and have forgotten about or a weed! It’s not until it grows and becomes more recognisable ‘Let both grow together until the by its flower that I can tell the difference. harvest.’ (v.30) I have recently become a volunteer counsellor at a Christian counselling agency. Some of the counsellors are Christians and others are not. This has raised many questions for me. Which of the other counsellors are Christians? They are all kind, caring and compassionate – as you would expect counsellors to be. So how do I tell the difference? There are many kind and compassionate people in the world – some are Christians, some are from other faiths and others have no religious faith. So what is it that makes the difference? Possibly some of us wear Christian ‘badges’ – doves or fish or wristbands. I have heard someone ask: ‘If you were on trial for being a Christian, what evidence would there be to convict For prayer and you?’ reflection These questions are challenging. It seems that the difference is within and to a large extent unseen. It is in the seeking of an ever-closer relationship with a God Lord, may those who loves us ceaselessly and unconditionally; a God who don’t know You see something who, if you like, is crazy about us! It is also living out and showing others what it means to have this promise different in me that attracts them of unconditional eternal love. How do we respond to the message of this parable – to You, so that they may come to of good and evil; of those who belong to God and those know the amazing who don’t? Not by pulling them up (condemning them) it seems, but by being alongside them, showing our hope love You have for in Christ for eternal life by how we live. all of us. Matthew 13:24–30
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Mar 5/6
weekend Created for God’s pleasure and purpose
For reflection: Revelation 4:11 ‘… you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’
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od took pleasure in creating everything and all of creation has a purpose. (That includes both you and me.) Often when I’m in my garden what I see reminds me of God. You may know the saying: ‘One is nearer God’s heart in the garden than anywhere else on earth.’ I’m not 100 per cent sure of that, however I find many reminders of God and His Word as I work and rest in my garden. Maybe you can take some time this weekend to enjoy the Lord’s creation. Whilst doing this you could read His words and reflect on what they are saying to you. As you work in the garden or walk in the countryside why not make this a time for prayer? I’ve often found that a person’s name may then come to me, and I can take that moment to pray for them. Sometimes I’ve contacted that person later – and this has been a blessing to both of us. During this month of reflections, if you are able to access a garden, the countryside or a nearby park I hope you will use it to help you to seek the Lord’s presence and the blessings He wants to share with you there. Optional further reading Psalm 145; Psalm 46 Joyce Huggett, Open To God (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1989).
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Christ’s cross – our redemption
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asn’t God cruel to send His Son to a horrible death?’ ‘Or else too weak to save Him!’ ‘If Jesus really was someone special, divine even, if He did miracles and raised others from the dead, why would He let Himself be killed?’ ‘Why would anyone want to follow Him when He promised the same, even to His closest friends?’ ‘Wallowing in human blood, and all those animal sacrifices before He came. Count me out!’ If Paul’s preaching of Christ crucified proved a ‘stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles’ in the first century AD, most people find it even more incomprehensible today when weakness is seen as foolishness, choosing the way of suffering as twisted, and blood sacrifices as primitive, repugnant, incomprehensible, alien … Yet Jesus’ death on the cross is central to Christians’ faith – the means by which we are saved, cleansed, redeemed and healed. We long for others to access the grace that we’ve found through Jesus’ sacrifice. But how to explain? Paul says the cross shows the power and wisdom of God at work. But how can we mere human beings ever understand this divine power and wisdom? As Christians, we’ve come to know and be reconciled to God through Jesus. We can only come before Him in awe, wonder and worship. As we worship Him this Easter month, I hope we can also search the Scriptures together and try to grasp more about how, why and for whom the cross works. I’m far from having all that ‘sewn up’; you may disagree with some of my comments. But my prayer is that we’ll all become better equipped to answer questions from any who find the cross a stumbling block.
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Fri Apr 1
1 Corinthians 1:18–25 ‘… foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’ (v.18)
For prayer and reflection Lord, we’ll never fully understand the heights and depths of Your grace. Please send Your Holy Spirit to lead us into more of Your truth about how You save us.
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Apr 2/3
weekend The problem – and solution
For reflection: Romans 3:19–26 ‘… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God … God presented [Christ Jesus] as a sacrifice of atonement …’ (vv.23,25)
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ne main story runs right through the Bible’s varied ‘library’ of books. Now stories need tension. There wasn’t any at first – God, in pure love, created human beings to enjoy life and their relationship with Him forever. But very soon we turned our backs on Him and rebelled – still do, every day! Think – how do you or I become ‘at one’ with Him again? The tension persisted because He wanted a means of re-achieving our loving relationship with Him. So He introduced law, covenant, sacrifices, prophets; He revealed Himself to His chosen people … and all was thrown back in His face. Finally He sent His Son, Jesus, to this earth, fully God and fully human, to die and rise again. The ultimate and lastingly effective way of ‘at one’-ment for all who put their trust in Him – that’s what we’re looking at this month. Do read the passages below which show God’s instructions on the Old Testament sacrifice of atonement and how Jesus became both priest and sacrifice, blasting a way back for us into the holy of holies of God’s presence. Optional further reading Leviticus 16:1–34; 17:11; Matthew 27:50–52; Hebrews 2:17
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Atonement
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f God’s compassion is aroused for Israel, on reading this passage ours is aroused for God! Any parent or adult who has loved and cared for a child knows the anguish when that child rebels. Toddler tantrums are bad enough – they prevent our relating and having a good time together for the short time they last. But later, teens may rebel, turning their backs on families who love them. We see how much harm they are doing to themselves, others and the whole family. When someone runs away or turns the home into a war zone the pain is horrendous, inescapable. This chapter shows God feeling the same – He’s invested so much love in His people, seen the Israelites grow, taught them to walk, rescued, fed and healed them – only to find the nation ‘determined to turn’ from Him. He’d longed for Israel to be a demonstration of how a human community could live in a loving relationship with Him and with each other – so that they could light the way for other nations. But they’ve behaved appallingly, broken their promises and broken His heart. He’s all-powerful God, who has every right to abandon (even to destroy) them. He decides to do just that – but He can’t. Even now He’s going to call them back and lavish His compassion on them because He wants atonement – to be ‘at one’ with them again, whatever it costs Him. Yet how can they be one if people keep choosing not to be? God can’t condone their sin – their selfishness and rebellion – because He knows the damage it causes. It ruins their relationship with Him and with each other. He will do anything it takes. In the end it took the cross.
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Mon Apr 4
Hosea 11:1–11 ‘How can I give you up … Israel? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.’ (v.8)
For prayer and reflection Read Hosea 11 again, substituting your own name for ‘Israel’ and ‘Ephraim’, then pour out your heart in thankfulness to the Lord.
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Tues Apr 5
Who bears the consequences?
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heila’ hid the family’s fireworks under her bed when young and her brother suggested they light them there, instead of waiting for November 5th. They could have been fatally injured; so could others. As it was, their parents bore the cost of ‘God made him who had no sin a huge amount of damage to the house and the whole to be* sin for us, family had to move out for some months while repairs so that in him we were completed. Only looking back as an adult did she might become the understand the consequences of their actions. Their righteousness of childish ‘adventure’ was, in fact, disobedience which God.’ (2 Cor. 5:21) put the whole family, plus their neighbours, under immense strain. On the cross, sinless, obedient, Jesus chose to identify with and bear the dreadful consequences which human sinfulness had, like those fireworks, unleashed – violence, evil, pain, shame, oppression, destruction, feeling forsaken by God, even death – all the ‘fire damage’; all the rubbish. Then picture Jesus in the throne-room of God, His wounds, suffering and death transformed into glory For prayer and because He had acted (as always) in pure, sinless love. reflection Picture Jesus giving you His own fully deserved white robes of righteousness, ushering you in. You’re made at home there, welcomed into that holiest, most awesome ‘In the time of my favour I heard you, place because of Him. You’re utterly different from a holy God, yet you’re at one with Him through Jesus. and in the day of salvation I helped That’s atonement! 2 Corinthians 5:9–6:2
you.’ Now is the time. Don’t stand on the threshold, enter in, marvel, be at one!
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* Although ‘to be sin’ is what the NIV says, the meaning of the Greek verb is most uncertain, as there are pages of possible translations! I personally believe that this is a mistranslation and ‘to bear sin for us’ would be more accurate.
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