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Good morning. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." (John 1:1‭-‬2‭, ‬4) It is not by chance that John begins his gospel in this fashion. He wanted his audience to see and understand the importance of the Word. Jesus underscores this when He says, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4) By the time Jesus gave the discourse on abiding in the Vine and His followers being the branches, they understood what He meant when He said, "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." (John 15:3) The implication of these words was that they had already gone through the pruning process. It is noteworthy that the New Testament writers were well versed in the Old Testament and saw the importance of the Word for Christian living. What was true then, is still true today. The more we immerse ourselves in the Word and prayer, the more fruitful we will be. Have lovely day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Daphne and I enjoy our little garden. We have 6 or 7 "Iceberg" rose bushes. Everybody in our complex comments on the beautiful display of white blooms. Daphne spends hours tending the "Icecbergs"; deadheading, pruning and shaping each rose bush. As a result our "Icebergs" bear more and more beautiful white roses. Now here's the thing. When the people comment on the roses, they talk of "your" roses acknowledging the one who tends the rose garden. Similarly, followers of Christ, we all want to be fruitful. Most of us enjoy the praise of those around us. Sometimes, though, we get in the way and the gardener, our Father, needs to do some pruning. It is not only sin that needs to be cut away. It may well be that the reliance on our own abilities, when we do things in our own strength, that requires pruning. "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:2) When we bear fruit according to His plan, fulfilling His purpose for each of us, then, the gardener, our Father, receives the praise and glory. Peter reminds us that when we serve we "should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 4:11) Have good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We serve God while living in the purpose/calling He has for each of us. Jesus reminds us that we are chosen by Him so that we might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. And here's the really good news. Jesus carried on and said, "that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16) If only! We often hear people say that God does not answer their prayers. James tells us, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:3) So how do we change this? We allow Holy Spirit to direct our prayers. We ask Holy Spirit to stir up God's desires in us, and to reveal God's plans to us, and pray accordingly. As we pray for our God-inspired concerns for others, for the Church and sectors of society, we are more likely to experience God working through us and around us. When we look at how God used Nehemiah we see that on numerous occasions he prayed short, focused prayers. (Nehemiah 2:4, 4:4, 5:18-19, 6:8-9) Charles Spurgeon says, "God does not hear us because of the length of our prayer, but because of the sincerity of it. Prayer is not measured by the yard, nor weighed by the pound. It is the might and force of it, the truth and reality of it, the energy and intensity of it." Let's go and bear much fruit which has been soaked in God's desires. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit ..." (John 15:8) Much fruit. Most of us are happy when we see the fruit (evidence) of our endeavors to living in the purpose/calling of God, leave alone much fruit. But much fruit is possible. Much fruit is the result of remaining in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Experience has taught us that when we try to achieve God's purpose for us in our own strength things fall apart. We have learned from experience the futility of trying to go it alone. Remaining in Christ means that we stay with Him, to make ourselves at home in Him. He becomes our focus. He becomes the main thing, not ourselves nor the world around us. As we remain in Him we will experience the life-giving sap that flows between the vine and its branches. When we have that on-going, grafted into Him, relationship, we will begin to "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ..." (Ephesians 3:18‭-‬19) Remaining in Christ is the open secret to bearing much fruit. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Here we are at the start of a new week and one thing we know is that as followers of Christ we are to continue in God's purpose for each of us. With this in mind we must be on our gaurd that we do not hive off and try and do it in our own strength. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit ..." (John 15:1‭, ‬5) In these verses Jesus tells us the importance of having on on-going authentic relationship with Him. As the branches of Christ, our purpose is to bear fruit. We are grafted into the vine (Christ) and are nourished by Holy Spirit in our relationship with Him, daily. Many Christians follow Christ mainly for what He can do for them, while a true disciple is passionate about what He can do through them. The nourishment we receive through Holy Spirit imparts Christ's life and nature. And so we find our joy and potency by totally depending on Jesus; every day, every hour and every minute. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the fruit we bear when we live in the center of God's will, His purpose for us. "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8) Have a good week. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The Westminster Shorter Catechism of 1647, tells us that "man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever." This gives us some insight into understanding God's purpose for us. Moses, speaking face to face with God, said, "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” (Exodus 33:13) We bring glory to God when we live and move on His ways in what God has planned for us. Over the years we have observed that people thrive most when pleasing someone other than themselves. This increases exponentially when we please God. Today as we worship God together, let us do so with gladness and joyful songs, in Spirit and truth. Let's enjoy Him together. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. John Maxwell says, "If you look over your shoulder and nobody is following you, you aren't leading. You are merely taking a walk." Similarly, if we have concern, vision, strategy and partnerships but no action, we are merely dreaming. Paul reminds us of the bias to action in Ephesians 5:16‭-‬17 when he says "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." While we need to make the most of every opportunity, we should gaurd against our impulsive desires. Being led by Holy Spirit helps us to distinguish God-appointed opportunities from accidental coincidences. There may be times when God tells us to wait until He acts, but most times we are required to take the initiative and get on with the doing. So many people wait for things to happen and then wonder what happened. "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4) As we enjoy a relaxed weekend "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Luke records in Luke 5 that, after a long night's fishing which yielded no catch, on Christ's say so, Peter let down his nets once more. As a result, he discovered that he needed partnerships to accomplish what Christ told him to do. It may well be that he caught a glimpse of his future ministry. Nehemiah, too, knew that he needed the help of others (the king, governers, the cavalry, those living in Jerusalem, priests, nobles and others) to fulfill his vision. Most people will not be called to start a totally new ministry. We may well be required to hold up the arms of someone who is leading, as was the case with Aaron and Hur with Moses. (Exodus 17:11-12) Partnerships are essential in all areas of our lives - in our families, at work, at varsity, etc. When we work together as a team things begin to happen. As the saying goes: "Teamwork makes the dream work." • Together • Everyone • Achieves • More Resolve to form strategic partnerships. The plan works when we work together. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Our "purpose" is triggered by a God-given concern (the push effect) leading to us to get a picture/vision of what could be (the pull effect). But, having a concern without a vision is paralyzing, while having a vision without a strategy is a fantasy. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you." (Luke 14:28‭-‬29) Frequently planning is perceived as unspiritual. A God-inspired vision is worthy of a plan of action, a strategy. When Nehemiah was asked by the king what he wanted to do, he presented a clear plan of action. (Nehemiah 2:7-8) Planning gives is the clarity as to what we should be doing. Peter Drucker says: "Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all." Planning brings a focus enabling us know what whe should be saying "No" to. The Chinese inventor, Lin Yutang writes: "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone." As we dream of what God has called us to do, let's plan carefully and then commit the plans to God. "Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalms 37:5‭-‬6) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. I (Mike) love the words attributed to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the people to gather wood,, divide the work, and give orders. Instead teach them to yearn for the vast endless see." The power of casting a vision is amazing. Once we are given eyes to see, our motivation goes to another level. In His final gathering with His disciples, Jesus cast a vision of the open seas of ministry possibility. He said, "... you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) In His final hours He burnt a compelling vision into their hearts. "Go and make disciples of all nations ... and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) From that time on the disciples were drawn to the thousands and the many nations they were to reach, serve and disciple. When God reveals His purpose for our lives, there is a push effect (the concern He places in us for ...) and a pull effect (a glimpse by faith of the way things can be, will be; a vision of what He is calling us to). Remember "For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37 NKJV) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning to you on this valentines day. We are the participants in the story of the greatest demonstration of love in history. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Two things happen when we experience this love. The weight of our past sin is lifted from us, and we begin to feel the weight of certain things going on in the world around us. This weight/concern we feel is the first step in becoming aware of the purpose God has for us individually. We see Nehemiah's initial response when he became aware of what had happened to Jerusalem. "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4) The same sort of thing happened with Jesus. "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) Allow God to develop this "concern" within each of us. The words of the song by Hillsong should be our constant prayer. "Show me how to love like You have loved me Break my heart for what breaks Yours Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause As I walk from earth into eternity" Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We have seen that God has prepared good works in advance for us to do. 2 Timothy 2:16-17 tells us that Scripture equips us for these good works. When we look at Nehemiah and the good works he was called to do, we can see a number of components worth noting. Concern, vision, strategy/plan, partnerships and (importantly) action. Nehemiah was not a prophet nor a priest. He was an ordinary person like us, albeit he held a high position in society. Nehemiah's heart is broken because Jerusalem is in ruins (concern). He wants to get to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls (vision). Nehemiah requests letters from the King of Persia providing a safe journey as well as provision of timber for rebuilding Jerusalem (strategy). With letters in hand and a mounted escort provided by the king, he is set (partnership). Replying to the kings enquiry, Nehemiah sets a time frame for his plan (action). As we plan to do what God guides us to do, these 5 components should be involved. All of this may require us to relook at how we respond to God's call/purpose in our lives. Have a good start to the week. Blessings. Mike and Daphne