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Good morning. Our minds are a powerful instrument of the Spirit of God. Our minds are vitally important in our walk with God. Paul recognized this when he wrote, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) Living within God's will does away with unnecessary stress and anxiety. It brings peace. Paul writing to the Thessalonian church says, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way." (2 Thessalonians 3:16) And here's the interesting thing. It would seem that peace in itself is not the goal. It is a weapon in God's hands. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7) As we allow ourselves to be led by Holy Spirit, we discover that living within God's will is not a lonely, dreary life. On the contrary, "the Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:19) And "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6) Let's live within His will by renewing our minds, today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Yesterday we experienced God moving during our worship and the preaching of the Word. The presence of Holy Spirit was very evident. We should not be surprised. After all we came to worship our awesome God. And when God's people enter His presence and worship Him from deep within their hearts, God responds by pouring more grace upon upon His people. That is what happened on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were together in a room and were filled with Holy Spirit. As a result 3000 people were saved and the Church was born. The Church in Acts experienced God's grace and their lives were irrevocably changed. "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common." (Acts 2:42‭-‬44) Priorities changed and out of a devotion to God, they drank in the Apostles teaching, hung out together, breaking bread and praying. The result was group of Christians doing what the Church does - they cared for each other. When a Church draws closer and closer to God, His grace and love becomes evident and spills over to the world. We, the Church, can make a difference to the world around us. Let's do it. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Throughout the world followers of Christ will be coming together today to worship their Lord and King. The words of the great hymn "O Worship the King" help us to focus on Him as we come to worship. "O worship the King, all glorious above O gratefully sing HIs wonderful love Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days Paviolioned in splendor, and girded with praise" He alone is worthy of our adoration and praise and worship. Let us come with hearts overflowing with joy and love for Him, to worship our Sovereign Lord. "Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!" (Psalm 68:34‭-‬35) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We have all had days when life seems too much. What goes through your mind when it feels like you are suffocating under the weight of life's challenges? Job faced the worst. The devil threw everything he could at Job, without taking his life. When his friends seemed to contradict him and his wife told him to "Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) Job had hope. "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face." (Job 13:15) Paul was reminded of what we should be holding onto when we are feeling overwhelmed. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) I, Mike, am reminded of the hymn we used to sing. "When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul" Today, if you are feeling overwhelmed, remember: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf." (Hebrews 6:19‭-‬20) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Religious activity brings bondage. Paul is astounded by what he finds in the Galatian church. "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? (Galatians 3:1‭-‬3) The grace of God enables us to live free of striving to please God through religious activity. Paul reminds us of this when he says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1) This freedom flows from an intimate relationship with the Father and should be evident in our churches. The church should be a community of grace. People who live in the grace of God are people who learn to love and accept one another. Church becomes a family when we live in the Grace of God. As we live in the grace of God, our hope is strengthened and "this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" becomes more and more real to us. (Colossians 1:27) God's grace enables us to enjoy Him. Let's enjoy our relationship with Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. How are you this morning? How are you really? Facing life's challenges seems like one battle after another, day after day after day. Paul too faced the daily challenges of life. He says: "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8‭-‬9) Living in God's grace doesn't mean that everything is going to be nice and easy. It is so easy to listen to, and try, the latest solution to life's problems. The writer to the Hebrews tells us not to get sidetracked be teachings that tickle our ears. Rather let our hearts be strengthened by grace. "Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace ... " (Hebrews 13:9) Despite what we are going through, it is possible to live victoriously. "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!" (Romans 5:17) It is by receiving God's grace that we reign in life. This provision of grace comes through Jesus Christ. We find grace and strength in Him to overcome life's challenges. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. There is a wonderful picture of God's grace to be seen in the Old Testament. When someone had sin in their life and they brought a lamb as a sin offering, the lamb was carefully examined by the priest to see if it was acceptable as the lamb could not be blind or have any kind of blemish. The priest did not examine the person who brought the offering. He only examined the lamb. Our Father does not look at us. He only looks at the Lamb of God to see if that Lamb is acceptable. And Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is acceptable. When God said to the Israelites to put the blood of the lamb on the door posts and lintel, it was on the outside. The people were on the inside and they could not see, touch or feel the blood. They could not feel the power or the effectiveness if the blood. The blood was not for them. It was for God to examine and when He saw it He caused the Spirit of Death to pass over. The blood of Jesus is not for our examination, it is for God's examination. The hymn by Robert Lowry puts it like this: "What Can Wash Away My Sin? Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus; What Can Make Me Whole Again? Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus." "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13) Let's go and live in the fulness of God's grace. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2) "Grace is something we constantly need to be reminded of, something we need to refer back to. Grace is the foundation, the platform of our lives ... every single thing that we do. We need to be living in the grace of God " (Rob Rufus) When we live in the Grace of God: • We will rule and reign in life. "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!" (Romans 5:17) • We will be fruitful in life. "In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace." (Colossians 1:6) • We will say "No" to unrighteousness. Grace is not a license to sin. "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." (Titus 2:11‭-‬12) • We will be energized to do great things for God. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10) God is saying, "I will bless you not on the basis of your performance, but on the basis of Jesus' performance on your behalf!" This is grace. Have a great day revelling in God's grace. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The more time one spends in God's presence the more aware we become of the Father's heart for Christ's bride and of recognizing the work of Holy Spirit in our lives. Holy Spirit never draws attention to himself. He reveals the presence and character of God. He leads us to focus on and pay attention to the Son, Jesus Christ . Notwithstanding this, it could be said that the primary work of Holy Spirit in the life of a follower of Christ is to empower us to be witnesses of Christ to the world around us. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Many folk battle in this area. Jesus knew this would be the case. That's why He said: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever." (John 14:16) “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me." (John 15:26) Holy Spirit is gentle and meek, not harsh and cruel. He teaches quietly and with patience. He never gives up. The anointing of Holy Spirt consecrates us to God and dedicates us for service and then equips us with power for service. This all stems from being in the presence of God. Let's go into the new week living from the presence of our awesome God. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In Exodus 33 we read of an intimate meeting between Moses and God. During this exchange God tells Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14) Moses then with bold humility says to God, "Now show me your glory.” (Exodus 33:18) God responded: “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord , in your presence." (Exodus 33:19) As we join together to worship God, may the words of the Song by Ron Kenoly be what we experience today. "Oh the glory of Your presence We Your temple Give You reverence Come and rise from Your rest And be blessed by our praise As we glory in Your embrace As Your presence Now fills this place" Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. David, the psalmist/shepherd/king, spent much time in the presence of God. When we spend time in God's presence, we like David, will request of God: "Show me your ways, Lord , teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (Psalm 25:4‭-‬5) Moses said to God: "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." (Exodus 33:15) It is of paramount importance for us to actively pursue time with God. The more we spend time in the presence of God, the more we will become aware that He is with us in the form of Holy Spirit guiding us each step we take. As followers of Christ, we are not in this alone. Jesus said, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever." (John 14:16) We have Holy Spirt with us, God with us, Immanuel. The weekend is upon us. It is a time to relax and take a breather. But let us allow the presence of God to be with us as we do so. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Most followers of Christ would echo the words of the song from the musical "Godspell". "Day by day Day by day Oh, Dear Lord Three things I pray To see thee more clearly Love thee more dearly Follow thee more nearly Day by day" For this to happen we must spend time in God's presence. It is in His presence that we will find fullness of joy. As we spend time in God's presence, we need to: • Be ready to respond. We should respond like Samuel: "Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) • Be ready to be equipped. "Teach me your way, Lord , that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (Psalm 86:11) • Begin to submit. "offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness." (Romans 6:13) As we pursue the presence of God, may we experience the sentiment of Paul's prayer for the church in Rome. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13) Blessings. Mike and Daphne