Centre of Hope Victory Church

Welcome to COH      April

Apr.6 /10

 
Hold On
 
I have never been out on a boat in a big storm.  If the wind was howling and waves were breaking over the bow of the boat I doubt strongly that I would be strolling calmly around the deck watching the weather.  I think I would have searched out the strongest thing I could possibly find and then firmly attach myself to it with strong rope.  If rope could not be found I would grip it is such a fashion that I would leave fingerprints in the steel.
It seems only common sense to grab onto something strong and stable in the midst of a storm.  Storms in our daily lives should be regarded in similar fashion.  When something seems to be relentlessly buffeting us, we need to find the strongest thing we can find and hold on as tightly as possible.
Ira Sankey penned these words.  “The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, A Shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A Shelter in the time of storm.”  It is Jesus to whom we should cling in those tempestuous times.  It is with his security and steadfastness that we will be able to withstand any storm that comes our way.
 
 
Apr. 13 /10
 
Flowers
 
 
I always find spring flowers amazing.  All winter long the seed or bulb lays dormant in the ground.  Then all of a sudden, it begins to grow.  Something tells them that the conditions are finally right and it is time.  Not only do they know when to grow, they know which way is up.  The stem always pushes up and the roots always push down.
But that is only the beginning of unbelievable design.  Daffodils always produce bulbs that produce more daffodils and pansies always produce seeds that cause more pansies to grow.  Deep inside is some sort of instruction that directs the reproduction of the plant.
The most astounding thing to me is the array of colours plants produce.  Daffodils are yellow.  Apple blossoms are white and produce apples with green or red skin.  Where do they get this colour, from dirt.  Plants use dirt, water and sunlight to make this amazing array of colour and shapes.  How could they possibly know how to accomplish this wonderful feat.  The answer is in Genesis 1:11.  “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth.”  (KJV)  God’s design placed the amazing instructions and capabilities within each seed.

 
Apr. 20 /10
 
Weather
 
 
I love the weather in the spring of the year.  One day there may be snow, the next day we might be out wearing shorts, then we close our eyes for two seconds and it seems once again there is snow falling.  Every day is a weather adventure.  Watching the forecast doesn’t help very much.  There may be warm weather on the five day forecast but when that day actually arrives we may see snow.  Often they are right, but many times it seems they are throwing darts at a dart board.  
Weather may be something on which we are unable to depend, but there is one thing that is perfectly dependable, God. God Himself confirms this in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not.” (KJV)  God and His Son Jesus will never change.  Their love for us is everlasting and unwavering.  No matter what we do, His love is still there to caress us.
His promises also are always true.  If God said it, it will happen.  2 Corinthians 1:20 confirms this.  “For all the promises of God in him (Jesus) are yea, and in him Amen.” (KJV)
The weather may change and leave us guessing, but God will never change and a promise from God will always be completed.