To encourage and bless, here are some extracts from the series known as GARDENLAND BOOKS (underneath each group of text, there is an image of the relevant publications).

There are many references to gardens in The Bible. In fact, life began in the Garden of Eden. When in bloom, a garden can spread its fragrance far and wide from the flowers and release of life within. Our Heavenly Father takes pleasure in the fragrance of His gardens, as they spread the beautiful life giving aroma of Jesus Himself.

Song of Songs 4:16 and 2 Corinthians 14-16 (GNT)

‘Awake, north wind! Rise up, south wind. Blow on My garden and spread its fragrance all around’…. God uses us to make the knowledge about Christ spread everywhere like a sweet fragrance. For we are like a sweet-smelling incense offered by Christ to God…….it is a fragrance that brings life.

• Encouragement from the heart of The Father:
• I AM with you ~ fear not, for I AM here. I give you My Rose of Love ~ Jesus Christ, God personified for you.
• There are no ‘second class citizens’ in My Kingdom, you are ‘one’ in Christ ~ you are all heirs and free to be all that I made you to be…you are above and not beneath your circumstances, you are ‘the head and not the tail’ in life.
• There are no thorns upon My Rose of Love ~ no rejection, no condemnation. I give you My grace, I give you My mercy and power to live your life…I give you My heart, My strength and My joy, not as the world gives, for I give peace that is far greater.
• My power is strong but full of grace and gentleness for you. I welcome you, love you, accept you, so let your heart rest in the everlasting arms that surround you day after day, and for all eternity. I AM your Father, and you are My child ~ I have given you My Son ~ My life, My heart, you have everything you need in Him.

Through Jesus, God’s heart has embraced mankind. Now we have access to our Heavenly Father to embrace Him in return. His heart will never change towards you and I, despite how we may feel ~ His Word assures us of this truth (Jer 31:3).  Just as when gazing into a mirror we will see a reflection, as we continue to gaze at Jesus, He will become our image, reflecting His love and His light deep into our souls. From this place of intimate knowledge of Him, you and I can begin to reflect His love, light and mercy back into the world in which we live (1 Cor 13:12 / 2 Cor 3:18). This is to His glory.

When you and I put our faith in Jesus, we receive eternal life here and now which continues for all eternity. Even death cannot steal away our life with God when we are in Christ (John 5:24). God continues to work in our hearts throughout our lives as we fellowship with Him day by day. It’s wonderful to know that He promises to complete everything He wants to do in us. Thus, we can rest secure knowing that God loves you and I, and that He will complete the good work He has begun in us (Jude 1/ Phil1:6).

The Person of Jesus Christ has opened up a new and living way for you and I to dwell in God’s Presence and enjoy being with Him! God’s heart is love; He does not want us to live merely in servitude but to live as Friends of The King, because Jesus has paid the price for all. He is the only true Healer of Mankind. Jesus is Good News!

John 3:16-17 tells us that God loved mankind so much that He gave Jesus so that whoever believed in Him would have eternal life. It also says that He did not send Jesus to condemn you and I, but to give us a hope that will last (2 Thess 2:16).

God wants you and I to know Him as He truly is, which is why Jesus came and revealed God’s true heart to mankind (John 1:18). The ‘work’ that God really wants people to ‘do’ is believe in His Son (John 6:28-29). This wonderful truth sets us free to really KNOW Him.

When we invite Jesus into our hearts, He delights to make our heart His home (John 14:23). Whether you feel anything or not, the moment you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour, He answers your prayer (Rev 3:20).

Thank Him for dying for you and rising again to life on the third day (as the Bible says).  For as you confess ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, according to Romans 10:9.

If you have already received Him, then rejoice in Him and go on receiving from Him and enjoying every day with Him. For He delights in you, always, and He only does good to you (Zeph 3:17 / Jer 29:11). We are His beloved, and He is our taste of Heaven on earth!

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for being  my Lord and my Light (Ps 27:1). You are the ‘Bright Morning Star’(Rev 22:16);  the Hope of all Heaven (Col 1:5) and the Salvation of my soul (1 Peter 1:9).  Thank You that You have chosen to live inside my heart.  I welcome You and honour You, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.

Encouragement from God’s heart:

My eternal gift of grace has given you right standing with Me, through all Jesus has done for you. Therefore, come to Me with confidence, knowing that My grace will provide everything that you need and I will strengthen you (Rom 5:1 / Eph 2:8 / Heb 4:16 / 2 Cor 12:9 / 2 Tim 2:1). You are My child through your faith in My Son. He is The Door full of grace and truth, by which you have entered into a new and living way. My gift to you is eternal life in My Son, which is not earned through good works but is given freely by My grace (John 1:12+14 / John 10:9 / Heb 10:19-20 / Titus 3:5 / Rom 6:23)

Prayer inspired by Isaiah 42:5-17

Thank You for giving me life and for placing Your Hand in mine, sO that I may rejoice in new things! Lord I will sing a new song to You!  A song of praise and thankfulness, to give glory and honour to You! Thank You for turning darkness into light, and for making rough places smooth; and leading me along a fresh path!

“In Him is newness of life; you are a new creation and you have a new song to sing!” (Rom 6:4 / 2 Cor 5:17 / Ps 98:1)

YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN GOD’S HEART

Romans 8:39 says that nothing can ever separate you from God’s love (in Christ) / Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has good plans for you / Isaiah 40:8 says that God’s Word will stand forever / John 6:47 says that Jesus gives eternal life to anyone who believes in Him.

Because of Jesus, I can say with confidence:

The Lord is with me – He strengthens and helps me with His righteous right hand (Is 41:10). He watches over ALL who love Him (Ps 146:20). God has great compassion – even if the mountains were to shake and fall, His unfailing love would not be shaken, nor His promise of peace be removed (Is 54:10).

Many people wonder what their purpose is in life, or what their ministry may be. God created each one of us with a purpose and with great value. Each person is unique and cannot truly be compared with another (2 Cor 10:12). So, the answer to the question: ‘what’s my ministry?’ is a simple one: it is being YOU! Jesus said to seek God first before all else (Matt 6:33), and God’s priority is for you to know Him (Ps 46:10 / John 1:18 / Phil 3:8-9).

When you give your life to Christ, you become a New Creation. A transforming work of God’s Spirit begins in your heart, and the following truths apply to you: YOU are accepted by God (Eph 1:6) / YOU are forgiven by Him (Luke 7:48) / YOU receive His righteousness  (2 Cor 5:21) / YOU are holy and dearly loved (Col 3:12) / God is always with YOU (Heb 13:5b) / YOU are the apple of His eye (Zech 2:8b) / YOU are precious in His sight (Is 43:4) / YOU have eternal life within (John 17:3) / His kingdom lives within YOU (Luke 17:21).