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Good morning. Relationships can be one of the most vital and rewarding areas of our lives. Yet we often find ourselves at odds with each other due to our differences. But we don’t need to agree on every issue to enjoy meaningful connections with one another. Too often we defend our views rather than listen and try to understand another’s way of thinking. If we allow anger or resentment to creep in, we’re in danger of destroying a relationship for the sake of winning an argument. When we act like this, we’re letting our flesh control us instead of walking in the Spirit. And the relationship suffers. As we look at the way we respond to others, what’s more apparent; the fruit of the Spirit or the deeds of the flesh? The contrast between the two is seen in Galatians 5:19-23. The deeds of the flesh include hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, and factions. Whereas “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control.” Much has been written and said about how to have good relationships, but until we deal with the issues in our own hearts, root problems will remain. Let's come before the Lord and ask Him to help us deal with and sort our hearts. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. What images come to mind when you hear the word "Father"?—someone gentle, stern, available, absent? Regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of our own dads, we have a heavenly Father who is perfect. If a perfect dad is hard for you to imagine, look at Jesus’ life. According to Paul, Jesus is a picture of God the Father. "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."  (Colossians 1:15) In Scripture, we see Jesus tenderly holding children, ministering to the sick, and showing compassion to the undeserving. Furthermore, He testifies of a heavenly Father who loves unconditionally, listens to prayers, and freely offers forgiveness. The good news is that anyone who has been spiritually born into God’s family can call Him “Father.” The Saviour’s goal in coming to earth was to reconcile us to God the Father so we could dwell in His family forever. No matter what your dad is like, our heavenly Father is personally interested and involved in our lives. He knows our needs, promises His best for us, and doesn’t hold our mistakes against us. With Him, we find intimacy, security, and satisfaction. "And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, The Father says this about you. Enjoy His love. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Abraham, like any one of us, had faults. He sinned. He made mistakes.  Still, God loved him and accomplished great things through his life. When the Lord spoke, Abraham listened. Just imagine what promises and blessings he would have missed if he’d failed to pay attention.  Abraham’s conversations with God teach us what living by faith looks like: • Listening to God. When we recognize God’s voice, we’ll have assurance about what to do and where to go. • Obeying God shows we really trust Him, and each time we obey Him, our faith grows stronger. • Depending on God. Human nature wants to be self-sufficient, but we desperately need God’s wisdom, strength, and help. • Waiting on God. Our willingness to patiently let God move in His own time and in His own way reaps great blessings and prevents big messes. • Acknowledging and learning from our failures. The Bible tells us that God exalts the humble. As we take time to rest today, ask God to help you to trust Him, listen for His voice and to move forward in faith. Despite our faults and failures, God loves us and works through every willing heart. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. “Be still, and know that I am God ..." (Psalm 46:10) Sometimes the load we bear is one of constant struggle; other times it can be an excess of good things. Frequently, though, life is a mix of things we’d rather not tackle and some that we desire, such as a school deadline, a new baby, a promotion at work, a weighty decision we have to make. Often, what we need to do is pause to rest in Christ’s loving presence. We don't need perfect conditions to pause. Remember that God is with us in every moment. So taking  even the briefest break in our busy schedules can make for a meaningful encounter with Him. The next time we feel stress building, take a moment to reset. Say a prayer, breathe the air God has given us, and simply rest. The more often we do this, the more of Him we’ll experience, and the less of our worries. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  (Psalm 46:1) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We are having an amazing time being taught,  encouraged and built up at the NCMI Equip at Cornerstone in Bedford view. Last night, Tony Siveright, shared about God's providence from 1 Samuel 9:1-24. Amongst other points he shared: • God's providence is evident in the disruptions and setbacks. • God's providence is evident in the people around you (in your life). • Divine providence is involved in the timing of every event in your life. God is at work at the right time. • God's design preceeds your plan. It's bigger than your plan. • God's design frequently takes a different path to yours. It's about God's eternal plan. • God's plan is always better than yours. (Jeremiah 29:11) So, no matter what we may be facing, remember, God is at work everyday in every situation in our lives. Look to Him and walk in what He has prepared for you. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We need wisdom to know how to respond to suffering. This means we should see trials from God’s viewpoint and understand His purposes in allowing them in our life. If we want to be sustained in our struggles, and come through with joy, we must believe: • The Lord is in control. Our trials won’t go beyond the boundaries He has set. • He has a specific purpose for our suffering. • This hardship will prove to be profitable if we submit to God and trust Him through it. • Trying situations are opportunities for faith to prove genuine and grow stronger. • God will walk with us through all our difficulties. • When we endure suffering with inexplicable peace and joy, God will demonstrate His sustaining power to others. If we believe these principles, they will shape how we respond to painful challenges. This perspective eliminates the negative reactions and makes supernatural responses possible. Instead of feeling miserable and hopeless, we’ll experience amazing peace and joy. So, instead of feeling hopeless and discouraged by trials, we can choose to walk with God in peace and joy. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The age we live in has been described as an “age of anxiety.” Our lives have become more anxious partly because the world has become obsessed by the need for “more.” Advertising and information flood our senses and emotions, so when it comes to material goods, enough seems to be just out of reach. This, however, is not unique to our lifetime. What Jesus said to His audience (Luke 12:22-34) could have been written for us today. “Do not worry about your life,” He says. Specifically, He says not to be concerned about where food and clothing will come from. He urges us to consider the birds and the lilies; if God feeds them and clothes the grass of the field so gloriously, He will certainly provide for our needs! Jesus’ teaching isn’t a license for laziness. We need to work hard while remembering that He is our provider. "... your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 12:30‭-‬31) If we can see Him as a loving Father who is able and willing to provide all we need, we can trade fear and anxiety about our life for patience and trust. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. There are times when we feel that God is taking too long to fulfill His promises. If only  ... I (Mike) am told that baking of sourdough bread is a slow process that requires more time, effort, and attention than some other kinds. It depends on natural processes so it cannot be rushed. Bakers of sourdough bread learn to wait patiently. The result, though, is worth the patient waiting that it demands. Similarly we need to be patient as we wait on God. Our perception of time differs from God’s. For Him, decades and millennia pass like moments and days. The psalmist reminds us that "a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night."  (Psalm 90:4) Peter says what seems like slowness is actually God’s patience. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) Like the sourdough baker, God unhurriedly waits for something better—to see more people accept His gracious gift. We can wait patiently, too, if we understand that God’s delays always lead to something better than we can imagine. God's timing is perfect. He doesn't rush but is never late. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Talking to God doesn’t always come naturally. From time to time we seem to struggle with finding the right words. It is helpful to recall God's character Bringing divine attributes to mind increases our faith and confidence in the Lord. We strengthen our prayers by recalling God’s character. When we remember that God is eternal, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, it is a reminder that God is faithful. We can pray with confidence because we know the Lord keeps His promises. When we remember that God who created the universe is absolutely sovereign and that He is all powerful, it builds our faith in Him. He is certainly able to answer our requests. What attribute of the Father do you need to be reminded of today? Take a moment to thank Him for this. Then approach God boldly and lay your request at His feet. Blessings. Mike and Daphne.

Good morning. It is the Lord’s day. We have the opportunity to join together and worship our awesome God. Notwithstanding that we can worship God at any time, any day of the week, the words of the song by Brian Doerksen are a reminder for each of us to worship Him today. "Come, now is the time to worship Come, now is the time to give your heart Come, just as you are to worship Come, just as you are before your God Come" As we come to worship God, remember that it is a celebration. A celebration of God being victorious and in control. The psalmist says, "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."  (Psalms 100:2) So as we come to worship Him today, let us do so with a thankful heart. There is so much for which to be thankful. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Don't you like the Nike slogan - "Just Do It"?  However, for followers of Christ, there is a very important action we need to do before we just do it. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."  (Proverbs 16:3) Why is this so important? Well, Proverbs 16:2 has the answer for us. "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord." When it comes to dreaming big dreams, we need to come to the point where we  courageously reach for the dream God has given us despite our fears. Think of a trapeze artist. The trapeze artist has to let go of one bar in order to reach the next one. Without letting go of the first bar, the trapeze artist will simply swing back to where they started. One thing is for sure. We can trust God implicitly. So, having committed the big dream to God, trust Him to guide you each step of the way. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20) It is really hard to dream big dreams when it appears that everything is conspiring against us. When we find ourselves in predicaments like this it is good to remind ourselves of some basic principles to help us dream big dreams again. • Open our minds to God. This is the Principle of Inspiration. God’s perspective is what makes your dream different from normal, secular goal-setting. "Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in (God's) wisdom are kept safe."  (Proverbs 28:26)  That’s why your dream should begin by getting God’s perspective on your life. Make some time to sit down and ask God, “What is your will?” • Do some research. This is the principle of information. After spending time in prayer, we need some information. We must not  make decisions out of ignorance. I (Mike) love how The Living Bible puts it:“What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!”  (Proverbs 18:13TLB). We need to ask ourselves, “What do I need to know first?” Read books. Listen to podcasts. We must not allow our circumstances to stop us from dreaming bigger dreams. Start dreaming afresh today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne