Search Results

Good morning. Over the years we have found there are many people have been emotionally wounded as they have grown up - so many people who have drooping shoulders. Time and time again these folk second guess their ability and often express the sentiment that God won't/can't use them. It brings to mind Proverbs 18:14. "The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?" While they may look and behave like the life of the party, inwardly they are aching and shrinking. Suppressing these feelings will not make them go away. We must not shut off our emotions. They are part of what makes us human. This being said, we do not need our emotions to determine whether or not God loves us or has a purpose for each of us. We need to see ourselves as God sees us. He says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5) In your minds eye, see God looking at you and saying, "that's My boytie", "that's My girl". If He were to give you a grade, He'd give you an "A". We, like the psalmist, might ask, "What is man that You are mindful of him." (Psalm 8:4 NKJV) or more personally, "Who am I that You are mindful of me? Why choose me?" As we begin to see ourselves as God sees us we will begin to understand and accept that “He has loved you with an everlasting love; He has drawn you with unfailing kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3) Will you allow His great love for you to overshadow the inner feelings that question your worth? You are worth it. Blessings. Mike and Daphne.

Good morning. Living to fulfill God's purpose for our lives requires careful thought and discipline. Proverbs 4:26 reminds us to "give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways." "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy." This English proverb reminds us to balance our work and social/family responsibility. Likewise we are reminded, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26) So how do we manage to live a balanced, purpose driven life? We learn to lean on Christ more and more. "For in him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) The Jesus who said "go and make ..." is the same Jesus who said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) In every situation take time to lean on Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. One of the things we learn from Jesus and His purpose on earth is that He knew His limitations. Remember, that while He was fully God, He was fully man. We read that Jesus would draw apart from the crowds and spend time alone with His Father. This is a huge lesson for us to learn. While we know that the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, we are not superhuman. We like Jesus need to live within our limits. Knowing our limitations helps us focus on our purpose/calling. Thankfully, the God who made us is also the God who calls us and He "knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14) Jesus lived a balanced life. As we go into the new week, let's resolve to live a balanced life within our limits, and, pace ourselves. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Jesus demonstrated the balanced Christian life. In Luke 2:52 we read that Jesus grew in wisdom (mental) and stature (physical), in favour with God (spiritual) and man (social). As we go about living in the puropse/calling of God we need to pay to attention to every area of our lives - mental, physical, spiritual and social. When we live a balanced Christian life, we will find it easier to live out our individual purpose which God planned in advance for each of us. God is interested in our whole being, not only our spiritual being. “Great is the Lord , who delights in the welfare of his servant!” (Psalm 35:27 RSV) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Over the past 5 days we've zoomed in on character traits required to fulfill our purpose - whole-heartedness, integrity, skills, reliability and courage. There is however one essential ingredient that is required. One which strengthens each of these and thrusts us onwards and upwards within our purpose. Faith. "And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." (Hebrews 11:32‭-‬34) Did you see it? The "wow" factor. "through faith ... whose weakness was turned to strength." Faith is the "can do it" ingrediant needed when we feel we can't. Faith enables us to served God whole-heartedly. Faith is what helps us stand firm for what is right instead of taking the easy way out. Faith keeps us honing our skills. Faith keeps us steadfast in reliability. Faith is what gives us courage in the face of adversity. Faith keeps us focused on the end goal of our God-given purpose; to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21) Let's go out in faith and move forward knowing that by faith we can do it. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. It takes courage to continue to move "onwards and upwards" in the specific purpose God has for each of us. The good news is that we do not face it alone. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) Nelson Mandela said, "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) There are many examples of men and women of courage in the Bible; Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Ruth, Paul and Timothy to name but a few. Each one of them faced situations that required them to exercise courage. Like them, we, as followers of Christ, too will be faced by situations which require courage. That is why Paul tells us to "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13) Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We have 2 dahlias in our garden. Both receive the same treatment. Yet the one usually has a flush of early blooms while the other constantly produces the most beautiful blooms which are admired by all who pass by. Similarly, those who consistently display their reliability will be noticed and admired. Being reliable and trustworthy will lead to increased responsibility. Jesus said: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." (Luke 16:10) When we are trustworthy within our God-given purpose, God will give us more influence and impact. However, we must beware that we do not fall into the trap of thinking that it us about us. No! It is for the greater good of the Body. Jesus put it this way. "And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?" (Luke 16:12) Let's be reliable, trustworthy, with what we have been entrusted with. Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Over the years Daphne and I have been called upon to function in roles which we thought we were not equipped for. Surprisingly, we found that we had undeveloped skills. When we resolve to live within the purpose that God has for us individually, we will be called upon to use our skills for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Throughout scripture we read of individuals who we skilled in different ways. In 1 Chronicles 22:15 we read: "You have many workers: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as those skilled in every kind of work." As followers of Christ we should be honing our skills. Spending time honing our skills will result in producing greater results. We are more likely to make an impact at work as well as in the Kingdom when we use our well honed skills. As we develop and use our skills for serving Him, remember that "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." (Colossians 3:23) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In the same way that character is vital to fulfilling our God given purpose, integrity is the backbone to character. Integrity requires honesty. Proverbs 10:9 says: "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." Integrity starts in the place where nobody is looking except God. The opposite of integrity is when one values personal advantage above what's right. Expediency may be a short-cut but in the end it is the path to nowhere. The only path that gets one somewhere worth being, and then keeps one there, is the path of integrity. Integrity is hard work at times. 2 Corinthians 8:21 reminds us of this. "For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man." The fact that it may be hard to do, must not deter us. Stephen Covey says, "Private victories precede public victories. Making and keeping promises to ourselves precedes making and keeping promises to others." As we go about our daily activities, let's do so with integrity. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. When it comes to fulfilling the purpose that God has for us individually, character is of paramount importance. As followers of Christ, foundational to serving God within our purpose is to love God whole-heartedly. An expert in the law responded to Jesus by saying, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Luke 10:27) Jesus said to him “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:28) Jesus knew that the significance of whole-heartedness and that we would need help in the area of character. He said that He "will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever" (John 14:16) The key to whole-heartedness for followers of Christ is found in Colossians 3:23. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Let us together resolve to live within our purpose by loving and serving God whole-heartedly. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart I will enter His courts with praise I will say this is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice, for He has made me glad-ah-ah He has made me glad, oh, He has made me glad I will rejoice, for He has made me glad He has made me glad, oh, He has made me glad I will rejoice, for He has made me glad" This song by Maranatha Music (based on Psalm 100:4) is enough to spur us on the get ready to go and worship together with fellow followers of Christ this morning. And if you need a reason for doing so, here it is. "God is so good God is so good God is so good He's so good to me" Have a wonderful day in His presence. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Giving Daphne a bunch of flowers, brings joy to her and lights up our home. This is a small act of kindness, the impact of which carries an important message, one that says "I love you". God has given us the ability to bring joy to those around us, to our neighbours. Love is like a tool in our hands to be used to pick a bunch of flowers for those around us. Love serves. It does not take. It does not ask, "What can you do fo me?" rather "What can I do for you?" Serving at its best is love made visible. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others. Surely God will make up for the sacrifice of generous serving. Love is generous. Serving in love will result in people seeing what being a true follower of Christ is all about. "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Enjoy a love filled weekend. Blessings. Mike and Daphne