Easter Devotion 2025

Coming in from the fields!
Living in the city can be quite noisy at times. Nowadays, the use of microphones and loudspeakers add volume to the voices of people who gather in the city to demonstrate and declare issues close to their hearts. Marching through the city with banners and flags, they call out their concerns. Can you imagine walking home from work and suddenly being forced to join in a demonstration like this and carry a banner or a flag not knowing what it represents?

We read in God’s Word, Mark 15:21, about a man, called Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the fields to his home in Jerusalem. Suddenly, he was grabbed and forced into a situation out of his control. The scene before him was confusing. There were crowds demonstrating and taunting a badly beaten man carrying a heavy cross. They were jostling each other to see the one known as Jesus of Nazareth, the one to whom they so recently cried “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Simon recalled witnessing that a few days ago.

Now he was carrying the cross of this man. It was laid upon him. Luke says, “he carried the cross behind Jesus.” What a confusing situation before him. Try to imagine what Simon of Cyrene saw, heard, and thought as He carried the cross.

Perhaps he recalled the Scripture he had been taught, Isaiah 53:3, “He was hated and rejected; His life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at Him. We despised Him and said, “He is a nobody!” As Simon surveyed the scene, he saw the scoffers and soldiers, but he also recognised the men he knew were followers of this teacher who had been talked about so much.

We can only imagine the great impact that carrying Jesus’ cross had on Simon of Cyrene. Simon’s plans for the day were turned upside down and he was forced to head in another direction. Little did he realise that this was to be a turning point in his life and that of his family. As part of His divine plan, God chose Simon to encounter Jesus only hours before He died, in order to bring salvation to Simon’s household.

Mark 15:21 also tells us, Simon was the father of Rufus and Alexander. We further read of Rufus and his mother, believed to be this same Rufus, in Romans 16:13, “Greet Rufus, that special servant of the Lord, and greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me.”

Simon carried the cross for Jesus! Carrying the cross behind Jesus is a beautiful and painful picture of our calling as followers of Jesus. This Easter take time to reflect on His call to you. What will be your response? How will it affect your family, friends and neighbours?

“Then Jesus said, to all the people, “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Take up thy cross and follow Me
I heard my Master say
I gave My life to ransom thee
Surrender your all today
My heart my life my all I bring

New Year Devotion

Be Surprised!  God surprises us in many ways.

 

A question for the New Year … as you think over the past year, do you recall moments of loneliness? How did this loneliness affect you? How did you react?

Loneliness is a worldwide problem which has, over the past decade, impacted and affected many people throughout the world. A number of books and articles have been written revealing the ways in which people and governments are trying to handle these loneliness situations that are playing havoc with people’s health, mental well-being and relationships. There are even agencies set up whereby you can pay up to $50 an hour for a ‘friend’ to go shopping with you or to have a coffee with.

Whatever the cause of loneliness for the Christian, the cure is always the same – the comforting fellowship of Christ. The loving relationship we have with our Master reassures and encourages us. He is the Friend who: sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), the one who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13-15), and the one who has promised never to leave us or forsake us but to be with us until the end of the age, (Matthew 28:20).

This friendship is an amazing blessing, a blessing we want to share with others. We want to make a difference in this lonely world. Ask the Lord this New Year to show you the lonely people in your family, your neighbourhood, your workplace, your church, or when you travel.

Pray that as you look around you will see the lonely people, you will hear their silent pleas for company and know that God has brought you alongside for His purposes. Maybe that is to invite them to join your KYB group or begin a new group.

If you are reading these few words and you are not in a KYB group, enquire today. God surprises us in so many ways. Meeting with women around His Word and praying together, not only cures loneliness but gives us special prayer support through times of discouragement and difficult circumstances.

BUT most of all you will be surprised at God’s love for you. You will be amazed at the warmth, the strength, the peace and joy you will experience as you serve Him.

 

“May the Lord make your love for each other and for everyone else grow by leaps and bounds. This is how our love for you has grown. And when our Lord comes with all His people, I pray He will make your hearts pure and innocent in the sight of God.”  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Christmas devotion 2024

“They were praising God and saying
wonderful things about him.”    Luke 2:19

Celebrating Christmas is a special time for families. If travel and distance make it possible, young and old come together and enjoy each other. Age barriers are put aside and often three or four generations take joy in sharing together stories of the past year and plans for the new year.

Interaction between different ages is a special part of the Christmas story. Luke writes details not only of the events but of the response of different age groups to each other. The angel who told Mary about her baby being of the Holy Spirit also spoke of her older relative, Elizabeth, and the baby she was expecting. In response Mary hurried off to visit her. She knew Elizabeth would be of support to her. How did they respond to being with each other. Luke tells us Elizabeth said these words, “God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have.” Such reassurance and encouragement. How did Mary respond? “With all my heart I praise the Lord, and I am glad because of God my Saviour. God cares for me, His humble servant. From now on, all people will say God has blessed me.”

After Jesus was born an angel appeared to some shepherds – another age group – and told them the good news about the babe born in Bethlehem. In response they too hurried to see this special newborn. Luke writes the following, “As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel had said.”

Later, Luke tells us of two occasions that reveal the ages of those involved: Simeon, who loved God, was waiting to see the Saviour of the world before he died, said, “Your mighty power is a light for all nations, and it will bring honour to your people Israel.”
Anna, who was 84 years old, came to the temple, and Luke writes, “At this time Anna came in and praised God. She spoke about the child Jesus to everyone who hoped for Jerusalem to be set free.”

As we come together this Christmas let us, no matter what age group, take time to encourage and listen to each other, pray for one another, and show love and support for each other.

May this togetherness be a shining witness to those around us as we respond with joyful singing and praise to God for the wonderful things He has done.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” Luke 2:14

Blessings and joy
Lorraine Harvey

Gospel Girls- Liz Curtis Higgs 9th-18th Nov 2024

We are privileged to have Liz Curtis Higgs speaking in New Zealand in November 2024. Liz has one goal: to help people embrace the grace of God with joy and abandon. She is the author of 37 books with nearly 5 million copies in print, including her nonfiction bestsellers, ‘Bad Girls of the Bible’ and ‘The Women of Christmas’. Liz has spoken at more than 1,800 Christian conferences in all 50 states and 15 foreign countries. Her messages are timely, biblical, encouraging, down-to-earth, and often profoundly funny. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband Bill and their two grown children.

Please play the video below to hear Liz on the topics she will be covering in her talks.

Tickets available for sale now for all venues. Please click on this link and it will take you to the Humanitix ticket site and you can easily purchase any ticket you want.

https://ticketing.humanitix.com/tours/gospel-girls-christian-women-s-conference-2024

God Bless You 19th June Invercargill

There is something heartwarming about gathering together at a cafe with a group of friends and sharing a hot drink and a sweet treat when the weather isn’t so warm outside. That’s why the CWCI Invercargill Team have organised a lovely get together at the Industry Cafe next month! 

Come along and be encouraged and refreshed as Joanna shares “God Bless You!” 🩷

All the details are in the card below. Be sure to arrive in good time so as to order your favourite hot drink.

The Invercargill Team look forward to welcoming you.