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Good morning. Have you noticed when a baby is born into a family, how much attention is given in observing the development of the child? In the weeks, months and years the parents pay attention to the child’s development — physical, cognitive and emotional. The same is true of our life in Christ. When we first receive Jesus as Lord, we’re spiritual infants, beginning a wonderful new life in Him. But from then on, it’s important to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour” (2 Pet. 3:18). Jesus is our example when it comes to growth: "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52) Growing in our relationship with Jesus requires that we fill our life with practices that promote good spiritual health. These include regular worship, prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other followers of Christ, and serving with our gifts and talents. Such disciplines nourish us. They’re like vitamins and exercise for the soul. So, we need to ask ourselves how has our spiritual growth been recently? In the humdrum of life it is easy to let things slip. We let our personal devotions slip and soon miss a church meeting, prayer meeting or doing life with other followers of Christ. Perhaps it is time to introduce changes that would help stimulate the development of becoming more Christ like. "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22) Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The fear of rejection can be overwhelming. It often influences the decisions we make. Despite the (many) wrong decisions we make because of the fear of rejection, there is good news. God will never reject us. "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (Psalms 27:10‭, ‬13) God is the God of second chances for us. He is a good and gracious Father. Because God is always good and gracious, we can be bold and confident when we come to Him. We don’t have to come slinking in to God with our tail between our legs. We can just come and say, “God, you know I blew it - that’s who I am. But you are a good Father - that’s who you are. And it’s who you are that matters.” "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:15‭-‬16) No matter what we have done, we can come boldly to Him. Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12) It is easy to get distracted especially when the issues of daily life present themselves. Our response to the challenges life brings is always more important than the actual event. Each of those difficult moments or seasons is an obstacle that God permitted in our lives so we can learn the deeper secrets of how to overcome and enjoy surpassing victories. They are actually gifts that feel like disasters but are heaven’s hidden stepping-stones to becoming more like Christ, who overcame everything thrown against Him. One of the most freeing things that can happen in our lives occurs when we learn to release the challenges that we face each day into the hands of Jesus and then ask Him to take care of them. Let go of the internal push to do things in our own strength and instead talk to the only One who can transform our circumstances. When we model the grace of overcoming, we demonstrate hope to all those around us and we leave a lasting imprint on the lives within your circle of influence. Have a wonderful day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. One of the reasons we often question what we’ve heard from God is the fear of failure. Feeling afraid is a normal, human response, but it’s also an internal cue that it’s time to do two things: 1. Investigate what is going on inside. Ask yourself what is causing you to feel afraid? How do you think God views this situation? How do you believe He’ll respond to how you are feeling? 2. Connect with the Father. We are always safe to share your fears with God. He wants to hear about them from us. As we bring our fears, our concerns, to Him, He will replace the fear with an assurance found in Him. It is the Lord’s desire that we move through life with confidence and assurance in Him "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) Whenever fear tempts us to change course, we need to take a moment to pause, look inward, and talk to God. God invites you to bring your fears to Him and receive His peace and courage. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. If we are honest with ourselves, we all would want our private times with the Lord reflect what Isaiah describes: “Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:31). There are a few basic, but essential, steps for a personal prayer life that will be indescribably rewarding. 1. Make time for God. If you want to develop a relationship with someone, you need to spend time with that person. Be deliberate and committed. Get alone with God and refuse to be interrupted. Just talk with Him as you would with a friend. 2. Choose a place. If possible, find a corner you can set aside just for this. When you do nothing in that spot but talk with God, it will become sacred to you. And as soon as you enter, God will prepare you for His presence. That’s a wonderful way to begin. 3. Understand the purpose. Are our needs important to God? Yes. But the true purpose of prayer is to commune with God, to be enclosed with Him. The true purpose of your prayer time is to become like Christ. We will live no better than we pray, work no better than we pray. Through it, God will turn our human power into supernatural power. Let this awesome privilege begin to change everything for you, today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. How would you describe your personal prayer life? For some, the answer is short and simple: “Nonexistent.” Sadly, a lot of believers don’t spend much time, if any, talking with God. Not merely praying on the run. The kind of prayer I (Mike) am talking about is an uninterrupted period of time together, just you and the Lord. No distractions, no other people. And not because you need something, but because you love Him and want to be with Him. Jesus, when He was here on earth, placed enormous importance on this kind of prayer. Scripture indicates He often went off alone somewhere to talk to His Father. He prayed when He had decisions to make, when He was tired, and when He was anguished. Prayer was this vital to Jesus. The time we spend in private with the Lord will refresh and empower us supernaturally. “Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (Isaiah 40:31). Have a great time in His presence today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. For followers of Christ, love is one of the characteristics that should be to the fore. Let's remind ourselves what Paul has to say about love. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬8,13) Let's go out today and walk in God's love and give it away to all those we come into contact with. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. After the lame beggar was healed by Peter, when he and and John were en route to pray at the temple (Acts 3), Peter and John were arrested, jailed and then appeared beside the Sanhedrin. On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (Acts 4:29‭-‬31) Prayer moves the heart of God, but some prayers move Him more than others do. Bold prayers, daring prayers, the kind of prayers that move you, too. If you’re ready to see God working in your life, praying safe won’t cut it. It’s time to pray dangerous prayers. Prayers that, when God answers, will fill you with boldness to move in the power of Holy Spirit. Remember the Nike slogan: "Just do it!" Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." (Isaiah 60:1) Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy followers of Christ have is this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us. We are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Light is also the cause of beauty. No beauty is left when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the diamond. All our beauty radiates from Jesus. Light also means manifestation. Light manifests. Right now, we are not what we will be like when Christ receives His people into heaven. He will change us into the image of his manifested glory. "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." (1 Corinthians 13:12) All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb of God. Jesus will be the centre of it all. What glory it will be to see Him in His own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords! "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul's instruction to us is: "in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1) In the Old Testament, sacrifice was a means of atonement. When a person sinned, he or she brought an animal to the altar, and through its death, reconciliation was accomplished. Thankfully, there is no need for our blood to be shed; Jesus took care of that when He died on the cross for our sins. It means, however, that our lives should be surrendered to the Lord. A surrendered life involves commitment. It’s a decision to defer to God’s will and Holy Spirit instead of following our own preferences. True freedom and joy are found when we yield to Christ. Psalm 16:11(NKJV) says it best: “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Becoming a living sacrifice sounds like a tall order - and it is. But it’s a call we face with Jesus by our side. Remember: He is our constant companion and wants to help us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. God knows everything that’s going to happen to you. He is omniscient. That means He knows the past, the present, and the future all at once. Even as we prepare for today and the rest of the week, He already knows everything that will happen. Jesus is praying for us to make it through your storms. Remember how Jesus prayed for Peter before one of the most challenging days of his life? The night before Jesus went to the cross, he was with his disciples. Peter was boasting and saying, “Lord, I would die for you!” Jesus loved Peter, but he knew Peter was a little impulsive. He also knew Peter was going to deny him three times before the next morning. Jesus said in Luke 22:32, "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32) Jesus had already prayed for Peter in the storm he was about to go through. In the same way, Jesus has already prayed for us for what we’re going to go through this year. In fact, right now Jesus is talking to God on our behalf. Romans 8:34 says, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” The Bible says no matter what’s going on in our lives and that of our family, Jesus is praying for us. He cares for us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Many of us have listened to the news and wondered, what in the world is going on? We can easily be overcome with fear and despair. Thankfully, though, followers of Christ can find peace in the knowledge that our God is sovereign over every nation and ruler on earth. According to Daniel, "wisdom and power are His (God). He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others." (Daniel 2:20‭-‬21) An omnipotent hand is orchestrating a good and glorious plan. Nothing that the Lord does is carried out in isolation. He’s working all things according to His divine plan. No matter what is happening in our world, we can live with peace and hope because our God is always in control. Have a wonderful week. Blessings. Mike and Daphne