Spiritual food with Jess

Do you really know Jesus?

THE parable of the ten virgins keeps popping into my head.

The story starts in Mark 25. The parable shows us that in the end times, some Christians will be prepared for the coming of the Messiah, and some are not.

Jesus points out that there are five wise women and five foolish women. While the intention was for all of them to meet him, it appears only five did.

The wise had enough oil and went to meet with the bridegroom, and the door shut. The foolish did not; they went out seeking more oil, and the door had been closed. So what does this mean?

The oil symbolised intimacy. The five wise had a relationship with Jesus. They had communication and were constantly seeking him, repenting, and asking for forgiveness. Seeking him through every circumstance and situation and going to him first. Yoking with him.

The five foolish had a form of Godliness but a lack of intimacy. While deeds are great, a lack of intimacy will prevent you from entering the banquet hall.

"Later, the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!' "But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.' "Therefore, keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.

Matthew 25:11-13 NIV

Being a Christian isn't just about simply doing good, and it isn't just about our works.

It is truly about knowing Jesus and having an intimate and personal relationship with the living Messiah. Reading the Bible and following the scriptures isn't going to give you a golden ticket to enter heaven.

If you don't know Jesus, I encourage you to call out to him and get to know him personally. Be obedient to his Holy Spirit and come with an open heart to listen to what he has to say.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Innisfail

MARIA GIRGENTI

ON January 28, Senior Police Liaison Officers

Kayko Berry and Hong Ma - Cross Cultural Liaison Unit - Far Northern Region joined in the Lunar New Year celebrations held at Innisfail's Lit Sing Gung Chinese Temple.

They were among 20 people from Innisfail and Tully who attended the Open Day to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

Managing Editor/ Director

Sari Russo management@ wettropictimes.com.au

Advertising ads @wettropictimes.com.au

Production Clare Watson designs@ wettropictimes.com.au

Reception/ Administration Katriina Hyytinen info@ wettropictimes.com.au

Our Details

Office: 22 Lannercost Street Ingham, QLD 4850

Phone: (07) 4776 0485

Website: wettropictimes.com.au

Email: info@ wettropictimes.com.au

Mail: PO Box 1100 Tully QLD 4854

The Lit Sing Gung Temple in Innisfail, which means 'A Coming Together of All Gods and Religions,' is a testament to the rich history of the Chinese culture in the region and their contribution to the community.

It is one of the few operating temples left in North Queensland, used to celebrate cultural, language, religious and spiritual traditions.

In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is fourth in the 12-year cycle of the Zodiac, and 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit.

According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal sign and one of the five elements, Gold (Metal), Water,

Wood, Fire, or Earth.

Both the sign and element of your birth year are said to affect one's personality and destiny, so there are five types of Rabbits, each with different characteristics.

People born in the year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle, approachable and possess a decent, noble and elegant manner.

The prominent red and gold coloured Lit Sing Gung temple in Owen Street were completed in January 1941, replacing an earlier temple built by Tom See Poy in 1886 as a place of Confucian-based worship and traditional family culture.

In September 2022, the Chinese community sadly lost Neville Lee, aged 94. Lee was heavily involved with the Innisfail Temple for over 40 continuous years, at various times holding the positions of Custodian of the Temple, President, Vice-President and Director of the Innisfail Chinese Community.

Eileen Lee, aged 91 years old, a retired Director of the Innisfail Temple, has been a Tai Chi instructor at the temple for 25 years, having received training in Australia and China.

Chinese New Year started on January 22, the first day of the Chinese lunar month, with the festivities running until early February.

It is the biggest and most important annual festival in China, a time of great celebration and for families to reunite.