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With the latest development in the war in Ukraine, with Russia's mercenary forces turning on their master (Russia), I (Mike) am reminded the relevance of the phrase "beware of the enemy within". "The enemy within" constantly looks for opportunities to attack followers of Christ. Peter writes, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) Often temptations come our way from unexpected quarters, even from fellow followers of Christ. One of the ways we are able to withstand these subtle attacks from within is by knowing and using the Word of God. We are reminded that our offensive weapon is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17) Paul tells us that that we must be proactive in against the enemy within. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13) So, even as we enjoy the weekend, remain on guard. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. One of the signs that we running out of margin and need refreshing is the lack of joy in our lives. We've simply lost our joy. "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40) While we are all wired differently, when we analyze the reasons for a lack of joy, there are a few that we can identify with: • Unbalanced schedule: We’re not getting enough rest. • Unused talents: We’re not using all of our gifts. • Unresolved conflict: We’re not getting along with someone. • Undernourished soul: We’re failing to feed ourselves, spiritually. • Unforgiveness: We're holding grudges. • Unconfessed sin: God has told us to do something (or not to do something) and we’re ignoring him. We need to make specific changes in your life to regain our joy. Talk to a confidant or to a counselor. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is very helpful. David writes in Psalm 126:3 "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." The path to regaining joy may not be quick. It takes honesty, introspection, and a willingness to make hard changes. But the joy that comes from serving Jesus faithfully is well worth it. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Most of us, from time to time, would like some time to re-energize and refresh ourselves. There always seems to be something that we get involved in. We run this way then that way; school activities, church activities, dropping children off, fetching children, going to work, shopping, household chores - laundry, ironing, cleaning, cooking, doing the dishes. "Stop the bus. I want to get off!" David, the psalmist, found the answer. He wrote: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul." (Psalm 23:1‭-‬3) Spending time, alone, with the Lord, sitting in His presence, relaxing with Him, brings refreshing. David also wrote: "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul." (Psalm 19:7) Spending time in the Word also brings refreshing. The words of the song by Marty Nystrom sums it up. "Times of refreshing Here in Your presence No greater blessing Than being with You My soul is restored My mind is renewed There's no greater joy Lord Than being with You" Make time today to be refreshed by Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Imagine you’re hungry, with only a few coins in your pocket. It’s only enough to buy some coarse brown bread and a cup of watery soup. That’ll keep you from starving, but it’s hardly satisfying. Now, imagine walking into a beautiful hall where a banquet’s been laid out - tables filled with an array of meats, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and delicious desserts of all kinds. But rather than a price list, there’s a sign that reads “Free.” Which would you choose? The prophet Isaiah gives us the answer: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare." (Isaiah 55:1&2) Thankfully, the true contentment that comes from being united with God is ours for the taking. All we need to do is say yes to His invitation and come. As we go out today enjoy our Father's abundant blessings. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. One of the hallmarks of the Christian church throughout the ages is generosity. When generosity is mentioned our tendency is to interpret it in financial or material terms. Many folk are facing tough times; battling to make ends meet with the steep increase in the cost of living. So how can we as followers of Christ show generosity? What God said to Abraham is true for us today: “I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." (Genesis 12:2) This does not only relate to our material well-being. Consider what Paul had to say to the church in Corinth. "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:4‭-‬7) Did you get that? The gifts we have been given are not merely for our own benefit, but for the good of others as well. We can be generous in showing love, in encouraging, in serving, in praying , in helping, etc. "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:25) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul, writing to the church in Colossea says: "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way ..." (Colossians 1:9‭-‬10) The best way to please the Lord is by living a balanced life as his followers of Christ. We do this by following Christ's example. "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52) • Wisdom - by constantly increasing in this area through immersing ourselves in the Word. • Stature - speaks to our paying attention to our physical well-being. • Favour with God - this happens when we work at developing an intimate relationship with Him. • Favour with man - this is our interaction with those we rub shoulders with each day. Let's make every effort to emulate Jesus this week by leading a balanced life. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Noah was a trusting father. In Noah’s time, the hearts of humans were inclined toward wickedness, and this grieved the Lord—to the point that He wanted to wipe the slate clean and start over (Gen. 6:5-7). Noah alone stood out as a God-fearing man; he is described as “a righteous man, blameless in his generation” (Gen. 6:9). This righteousness saved him and his entire family. Abraham was an obedient father. One night God told Abraham to take his son, whom he loved, and offer him as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2). The next morning, Abraham woke up to do what God had said. Then, just as he was about to slaughter his beloved child, God provided a ram instead. It’s not clear how old the Isaac was when God asked for him to be offered as a sacrifice, but Isaac trusted his earthly father just as Abraham trusted his heavenly Father. Abraham was ready to give up what was most precious to him. He willingly chose to obey even though the stakes were high, because he truly knew God’s goodness and believed the Lord would bless his obedience, no matter how painful. When we follow the examples set by Noah and Abraham, to trust God and obey Him no matter what, we too will live in the blessings of our loving Father. Have a blessed Fathers' Day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning . Luke 15:11-24 (This is a story of the Father.) The son demands his inheritance, contrary to the custom of the day. The Father’s response:- The Father doesn’t take prisoners; He hosts sons! While the son does his thing in the far off land, the Father waits patiently, looking and waiting for his son to come home. The Father is filled with compassion. He runs out to meet the son (unheard of – cultural issue). Robe of privilege. (When the servants saw someone wearing that robe they knew that he was special in that household and was to be treated as such.) Ring of access to the family fortune/inheritance. Sandals/shoes for his feet (fitted, handmade)! (So how many of you fathers know what size shoe your son/daughter wears?) The father was expecting the son to come. So what's your view of the Father? The song by Chris Tomlin sums it up well. "Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think You're like But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night And You tell me that You're pleased and that I'm never alone You're a good, good Father It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are And I'm loved by You It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am." Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In a world filled with poor father images, what a privilege followers of Christ have in experiencing a good loving Father. Our Heavenly Father: • is proud of us and promotes us. “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5) • initiates and comes to our rescue when we need him. “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14) • loves us for who we are, not for what we are. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (1 John 3:1) Have a wonderful day revelling in the arms of our loving Father. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Yesterday we were encouraged to demonstrate the love of a good Father to all those we come in contact with. This we can do only if we have experienced the love of The Good Father. Our Father brings life to us. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4‭-‬5) The deeper our relationship with our Father, the more we become aware of His characteristics as a good Father. The Good Father unconditionally pours out affirmation and is proud of you. "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Affirmation is spoken and is given in hugs, kisses, touch, gifts, reassurances and encouragement – even in midst of discipline. The Good Father speaks openly about how much he loves you, about your value, identity and purpose. "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life." (Isaiah 43:4) Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34) Let's do it! Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Most people would love to experience the love of our heavenly Father. "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1) The problem us that so many people have had a poor relationship (if any) with their biological father. Consequently they have a poor father image, resulting in a blockage to the love of God. The result is that their understanding of being a father is based on what has been modeled to them. For example: • Absent Father (divorce, death, long working hours, high travel schedule, abandonment, etc.) • Passive Father (not responsive, involved, or active. Hidden behind book, newspaper, TV, computer, video games. Rarely gives affection.) • Performance Oriented Father (High standards untempered by love, nurture or affection. Successes are rarely affirmed.) • Authoritarian Father (strict, legalist, lives by rules – little ability to give intimacy and express love.) • Abusive Father (Often seems angry. Inflicts physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse on family members. Creates great inner pain, fear and insecurity in relationships.) This is why those of us who have this love relationship with the Father have a huge responsibility to introduce those around us to Him. God is: "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows ... God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing ..." (Psalm 68:5‭-‬6) Let's demonstrate the love of a good Father to all those we come in contact with. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. One of the things that satan is set on doing is to destroy the family as we know it. In the 21st century more and more we are seeing a Fatherless generation. Being a father is more than a biological act; it is the person we get our significance from. Many people do not know what a good father looks like. Consequently people limp along due to the type of fathering they have received and the choices they have made. They find it hard to believe that God loves us. Many folk have not grasped the love of our Father. Paul writes of God's love: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38‭-‬39) Now, that's our Father's love for His children! He desperately wants to be your Father. He made a way for this to happen. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18) Our prayer today is that your relationship with God will result in experiencing what a good father is and that you may "know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:19) Blessings. Mike and Daphne