Jesus is the Gardner tending and cultivating us, His New Creation, to remove the blockages in our Hearts & Mindsets (flesh beliefs), so that Jesus can Live in and through us, so we can become abundantly Fruitful for the Father’s Glory, (John 15:8)
If we give Him permission to do so!
The Garden Catalogue For Today
Let us Discover Who Jesus says that He is, and how we can relate to Him.
Discover Jesus’ character that He reveals through His 7 ‘I AM’ statements in the Gospel of John, and how this helps us to relate to Him.
These are symbolic statements of who He is as YHWH, Almighty God, Son of God.
We’ll examine their meaning in the Gospel of John and in the whole Bible and what it calls us to do and become today, as Disciples of Jesus the Messiah.
Consider: – Why is this significant for our identity ? As God FIRST loved each one of us, and as we seek Him, He now gives us the capicity to love Him and to receive His Love for us. Then we can then love our neighbour, as Jesus and the Father Love us…
‘I AM the Gate for the Sheep to come in.’ Here Jesus speaks in the context of Him alone being the only Way, the Truth and the Life by which we my be saved (John 14:6). He was willing and obedient to His Father be the sinless Passover Lamb sacrifice, so that through His blood being shed and His death on the cross, He was the one and only sin-offering required, taking all the judgement we deserve, on our behalf.
Through His Victory on the Cross over Hell and Death and His Resurrection Life from the dead, Jesus opened up the Gate of Salvation for our restoration back into relationship with our Father in Heaven, to have abundant everlasting life !! His resurrection from death to life occurred on the First day after the Sabbath, at the end of the week of Passover, which fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits that occured on this day, which we now call Resurrection Sunday. This is why Jesus is the Gate of Salvation and the only way to the Father.
He spoke to Mary about this when she met Him in the Garden when the Tomb was empty. He spoke to her in John 20:14-18: “14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the Gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” (NKJV)
Mary met Jesus in His resurrected body because He had conquered death. Jesus was about to ascend to His Father, taking His Blood in the Role of High Priest, to pour it on the Mercy Seat in Heaven. As His Father accepted His sacrifice on our behalf, we are the Harvest that Jesus desires to bring home to the Father. He was the First Son that was received of many brethren. (1 Cor 15:20-23)
So Jesus fulfilled once and for all the Feast of First Fruits. And because He was accepted by His Father, we His brethren, who believe in Him (His Name, His Word, His sacrifice for our salvation and that He was resurrected from Death to Life), we are now accepted by the Father when we come to Him through Jesus Christ, the GATE of our Salvation.
This is in comparison to the devil’s deception and robbery, that he attempts to lure us into, through his false gates of enticement. These tempt us and lure us towards death and destruction separated from God in hell – see John 10:7-10.
As Disciples and followers of Jesus and His Labourers in His Harvest, this is an important revelation from Jesus for us to understand in the spiritual battle for our souls.
Be Blessed by understanding Jesus’ Jewish heritage and Role as High Priest – Leviticus: 23:9-14 – Why is this of importance for our Salvation?
Through Jesus’ obedience, He fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits.
God’s Orchard – Fruitfulness & the Flourishing Vege patch !
By Hilary and C-HOP Team
Welcome to your Discipleship Journey. You are about to embark on an intentional season of healing the wounds of your heart. As you heal, obstacles to intimacy with God will be removed. You will find that not only will you receive healing, but you will also experience a real deepening of your relationship with the Lord. Each week we will look specifically at God’s Word in the light of different issues.
We will be drawing from Thom Gardner’s Book ‘Healing Journey’ p 7, 94-114
Check out the Truth of God’s Word below.
We suggest you repeat these Truths aloud, close your eyes & rest a moment in each truth, then speak out loud these scriptures below and rest a moment in each of these truths – repeat them through the week.
In this season, God is the Gardner of our hearts to set us free from the many lies we believed due to our past experiences. In the previous 42-Day Banqueting journey, each week, we explored a particular area of mindsets that have blocked our capacity to believe in the Goodness and the Truth of who God is.
This week, let us refresh our understanding about the lies of the issue of shame, such as where we have believed “I can’t be forgiven by God”. Please Click Here to refresh your mind from Part 1 of the 42 Days Banqueting Journey – Week 1 – Day 3
Now, in this 50 days Journey we will invite you to intentionally declare God’s Word into your spirit with His Truths, to replace the lies we’ve believed. In John 8:31-32 “[31] …Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. [32] And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Let us focus on abiding in God’s Word, and opening our hearts to receive our Father’s Love towards us as His sons and daughters, to discover how He sees us, and to believe His promises in His Word.
Truth: My Father has forgiven and forgotten my sin.
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins. Isa 43:25
For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jer 31:34 New Covenant
Truth: Jesus is NOT ashamed of me
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, Heb 2:10-11
Truth: I am covered with Christ –(His Atoning Blood covers me)
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honour, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs…….10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:7 and 10
Truth: I am Enough. I am absolutely complete in Christ.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9
Truth: I have been made Holy through Christ
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation… Col 1:22
Truth: I am Free from Condemnation
1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:1-2
Prayers from the Holy Spirit Weekend
Referring to: Saturday 30March,2024 morning session. HS-Led Weekend at Easter.
Prayer given during our time together.
Thank You Father God that You have made the way to know Your Spirit of truth. Inject Your Word of truth into those who have known You and have drifted away. Bring them back LORD. Release the church from the grip of humanism and false gospels that are not of You. Restore Your church to operate as Your true Eklessia. Bring revelation to those who no longer hold onto and desire to be married legally, Who no longer believe in the sanctity of marriage because of the same-sex marriage laws. Those who are left wondering what is the point of marriage when the world culture has trashed it.
Amen and Amen.
We seal our prayers according to Your will in these matters.
SO BE IT!!!
And yet, we say with the Psalmist in Psalm 115:1 ‘Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.’
And remembering Psalm 149, particularly verse 6 that informs us, ‘Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their mouth.’ ”
. . . . . . .
In the light of Jesus saying “I am The Gate”, may this word below be an inspiration for you
The Eye of the Needle – The Gate of Worship
A prophetic vision given by
Charlotte Baker in 1981
Worship Symposium
Dallas, TX
The Ultimate Choice “I have brought this people together today to make unto you a choice. You can minister unto men…or you can minister unto the King of Glory!”
I stood among the sons of men, strong and tall. My heart was filled with enthusiasm. My life was given to the purposes of God.
Upon that day, I said to the Lord, “I will do mighty exploits in the name of my God.” The Lord came unto me and He said, “What is it, son of man, that thou would have?” I said, “Lord, if I could only be among those who play sweetly upon an instrument and who sing well in the house of the Lord, then I would do great things for my God.”
The Lord came to me and He gave unto me the desire of my heart. He let me play and He let me sing. I saw the day when the hearts of men were moved by that thing the Lord had given unto me. After hearts of men were moved, I stood back and I said to myself, “Now I will be content for I have been able to move the hearts of men.”
But in my secret hour I bowed my head before my God and said, “Lord, You have given me what I asked for but my heart is heavy. I have a longing for something more.”
He came again unto me in the night season. He asked me again, “Son of man, ask Me again the thing that thou would have of Me.” I said, “Lord I see men bowed by burdens low. I see hearts that are broken. I see sadness and discouragement. Oh give me the power of the spoken word that I might speak the word and their hearts be delivered.” The Lord came unto me and said, “Son of man, I have given thee the things which thou hast desired.”
With great joy, I marched before the people of God. In my youth and in my enthusiasm, I spoke the Word and men were delivered. I spoke the Word and their hearts were made whole. I knew what it was to bind up the broken hearted and to pour in the oil of joy replacing their mourning.
While men were yet praising Him, glorifying His name, I went back to my secret chamber, I bowed my head in sorrow. I said, “Oh my God, my God, I am not satisfied.”
He came again unto me and He said, “Son of man, what is it that thou desireth of Me?” And I said, “Oh my God, give me power in my hands that as You did, I might lay my hands upon the sick and see the healing flow.” He said unto me, “It is done as thou hast commanded.”
God healed the sick. I went to the nations of the earth and I saw the sick raised from their beds. I saw pain and suffering go away. I was rejoicing as I went to my secret place. I bowed my head before my God. I said, “Now my God, I will be satisfied for you have given me that which I have desired.” No sooner had the words come out of my mouth when the heart within me began to ache and cry. I said, “God, I don’t understand. Again my heart is sad. Lord, will You, just one more time, give me the thing I ask of Thee?” he said, “It is done.”
“God, I desire to go against principalities and powers, the powers of the wickedness of this world and spiritual darkness in high places. He said, “Surely I give it unto thee. Now go.” So I went and the Lord allowed me to go into dens of iniquity, the holes and dives where men hide from the light because of the sin and evil that is upon them. There was a day when I saw demons cry out at the very presence of the power of God that rested on me.
Then I went back to my secret place broken. I said, “God, I have asked You for all that I desired and still my heart is not yet satisfied. Nor do I feel that I have touched the thing that You have called me to. In my youth I have expended myself with all the things that my heart had desired.”
Then one more time a gracious and loving God visited me in the night season. He said, “Now – what is it that thou dost desire?” In brokenness of heart, I bowed before Him and I said, “God, only that thing which You desire to give unto me.”
He came unto me and said, “Come with Me and I will take you on a journey.” He took me past my friends. he took me past those with whom I had come into the house of the Lord. He took me into a desolate place. He caused me to go into a place alone in the wilderness. I said, “Oh my God, what are you doing to me? You have cut me off from those I love.” He said, “I take thee to the place where all men must come if their heart’s cry is to be fulfilled.” At a certain hour, I bowed before a gate that is called…
The Eye of the Needle, The gate of Worship! There before the eye of the Needle I heard the voice of the Lord say, “Bow low.” So I bowed lower. He said “Yet lower. Thou does not go low enough.” So I went as low as I could possibly go.
But I had upon my back my books of learning. I had with me my instruments of music. I had with me my gifts and abilities. He said unto me, “Thou hast too much, thou can not go through this gate.”
I said, “But God, You have given me these books. You have given me these abilities.” He said, “Drop them. or thou dost not go.”
So I dropped them. I went through a very small gate that is called “the eye of the needle.” As I went through this gate, I heard the voice of the Lord say, “Now rise to the other side.” As I rose, a very strange thing happened to me. You see, the gate which was so small on one side that I must lay aside everything, was now so wide I could not fill it. As I stood in the presence of the Lord I said, “God, what is this thing that You have done unto me, for my soul is now satisfied?“
He said, “Thou hast come through the gate of worship. Now come up to the circle of the earth & I will show thee a great mystery. I will reveal unto thee the thing that I doing among the sons of men.”
The Spirit of the Lord caught me away. He took me to the circle of the earth, higher than where the eagle flies, beyond where the clouds can rumble, beyond where the sun shines or the moon finds her path. There at the throne of my God, He said, “Look down upon My people.”
I saw strange things. I saw my companions gathered around a very small gate that is, “the eye of the needle, the gate of worship.” I saw them wringing their hands and crying. They were saying one to another, “But God has given us these instruments of war. This sword is my sword and I will work with it against the enemy to bring him down. I cannot go through this gate, for, if I go through this gate, I must put down my sword. God has called me to be a warrior and therefore, I will not do it.”
And I heard another one say, “”Me? Lay down my instruments of music? Lay down all God has given me, just to go through that silly little gate, to be nothing but a bare man who comes out the other side stripped of everything? I cannot do this thing.”
I saw them as they stood aside in their pride, afraid to bow themselves before a very small gate.
Then I saw again, as the Lord brought me closer to the gate. I saw a man bow low, laying down everything that he had. As he came through the very wide gate on the other side, his instruments of music were there. His sword was there. His books were there. The power was there.
The Word of the Lord came to me, “Go now and tell this people before you, I have given unto this people extreme talents and much ability. But I say unto you today, if you do not come through the very small gate, which is the gate of worship, and bow low and lay before me thine instruments, thy talents, abilities, vision and power, thou shall always be among those who will only be able to minister to the hearts of men, and bless the hearts of men.
But there is a gate open to the Church in this hour, a very small gate. And through this gate, only men and women who are worshippers will go. These people will lay their talents before their God. These people will say, “God, we will be Your worshippers.” Through that wide gate they will come and they will arise on the other side, not to minister unto men, but to minister unto their God.
I have brought you together this day, to make unto you a choice. You can minister unto men and I will cause you to sway the hearts of men with your talent. Or, you can go through a very small gate, that is “the eye of the needle, the gate of worship,” and while making new worshippers, you will minister unto the King of Kings and Lord of lords!”
Hos 2:14-15
14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Our Worship Song for the Week:
Above AllPs Jeff’s Special Today: “failure to distinguish between the holy and the unholy”
Perhaps this is best stated in 1 Peter 1: 13-21 (amplified): “So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation]. But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.” If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth. For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ. For He was foreordained (foreknown) before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [publicly] in these last times for your sake and through Him you believe [confidently] in God [the heavenly Father], who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.“
Being candid with yourself and the Holy Spirit, is this issue of failing to distinguish between the holy and the unholy something blocking your serving your Almighty Creator? Is there any remnant of this old pattern needing to be confessed? Do you think this is only applicable to the disciples 2,000 years ago? Do you have any residue of a residue of this issue for such a time as this? Was it connected to your upbringing as a child? Was it a family pattern in any way?
God bless you as you seek His Holy Spirit Wisdom on that issue.
May you go forward on His path, “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
