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A blessed 2024 to you. At the outset of 2024 it will be good to once again focus on God and what He has to say about Himself. Exodus 3:13-14 reminds us that God is Jehovah. The name of the independent, self-complete being—“I AM WHO I AM”—only belongs to Jehovah God. As He said to Mose and the Israelites "I Am Who I Am" is with you, so He promises to be with us at all times. Have a super day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. After a long winter, apple blossoms emerge in splendor, signaling the arrival of spring and new life. God’s grace, like the apple blossom, brings beautiful new beginnings through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8). The gift of salvation is a gentle reminder that our past doesn’t define our future. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom and love, invites us to release yesterday’s burdens and embrace the promise of tomorrow. As we stand on the threshold of a new year, 2024, we can look back on the past year and declare, like Samuel did, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”  (1 Samuel 7:12) The prophet Isaiah reminds us that just as the apple blossom signals new life, God is continually working to bring new vitality and purpose into our life. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18‭-‬19) As we enter 2024, a season of newness, God’s grace urges us to look ahead for what is to come. He never changes. He’s always doing a new thing. God can bring renewal and hope to our life, creating paths in places where we may have felt lost or abandoned. As Paul puts it: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."  (Philippians 3:12) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Trees grow from tiny seeds, extending their branches toward the sky. In a way, followers of Christ are like trees. Our faith in the Lord is like a seed planted in fertile soil. It takes root and begins to sprout, stretching toward the heavens. Then, as we draw strength and nutrients from God, our hope in Him matures, bearing good fruit that nourishes and satisfies our heart. In order for our hope in God to grow strong, it needs to be watered with prayer, worship, and trust. Then we will become like rooted and established trees, radiating God’s glory and bearing the fruit of His Spirit. As Isaiah says: "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."  (Isaiah 61:3) As we abide in the Lord, He protects us during life’s trials and becomes our refuge. He alone sustains us with the fruit of joy, peace, and fulfillment, refreshing our spirit while renewing our strength. Because He refreshes our spirit and renews our strength, we can look forward with great expectation to 2024. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. As we head towards the end of 2023, it’s natural to consider this time as an ending. But each ending is also a beginning. It’s a matter of perspective. While it’s healthy to reflect on the year we’ve completed, it’s important to embrace each day God gives us and approach it with openness, gratitude, and hope. We, like Jeremiah, lament when we face uncertainty. Life’s challenges can overwhelm us. Yet, in the midst of all that we face, we are reminded that hope is not lost. It is firmly rooted in the character of our unchanging God. Jeremiah says: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21‭-‬23) 2024, the year that lies ahead of us, can be the start of a new season. A season to remember the Lord’s faithfulness. We can be sure of the Lord’s never-ending love and compassion for us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth." (Proverbs 10:4) This proverb is about more than material wealth; it speaks to the richness of a diligent life. As a bountiful harvest results from industrious labour, so our life is shaped by our habits, the choices we make day after day. Through prayer and obedience, we align ourselves with God’s plans instead of our own. This is how we cultivate habits grounded in His Word. This kind of diligence goes hand in hand with stewardship of our time, talents, relationships, and resources. Wisely using these for God’s glory will bring a good return for His kingdom. As we approach 2024, let’s prayerfully evaluate our habits. Are we using our time purposefully? Are we nurturing relationships that honour God? Are we faithful stewards of our resources? Let us resolve to seek God’s guidance and make intentional choices that align with His will as we prepare for 2024. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In the last few days of 2023 many folk will be looking ahead to next year and looking at their lives and assessing what needs to change in their lives. Whether we need a total transformation in life or we've drifted slightly off course and want to get back on the right track, God is ready to provide a reset for us. Changing always starts with choosing. To help us prepare for a reset there are a few basic questions we need to ask ourselves: • Where am I? To be able to make a move further better we need to know where we are moving from. We need to look back to move forward. • Who am I listening to? Is voice that is motivating us to change a trusted one or are we listening to the loudest voice?Isaiah reminds us that "whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'”  (Isaiah 30:21) • What is the goal? It is imperative that the end result of our proposed changes line-up with God's plans for our lives. "So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left."  (Deuteronomy 5:32) These may seem like simple and basic questions, but they are important in helping us make the right choices for the changes required for a life reset. It's not easy to put our issues under the microscope like that . . . but it's critical that we do it in order to initiate change. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  (Isaiah 41:10) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The hustle and bustle of Christmas has come and gone. No doubt, during the course of today, we will think about the special moments that yesterday brought us - that embrace with your spouse, your son, your daughter; the phone call to loved ones in a different city, across the world; that special gift you received. Pleasant memories. Mary, too, spent time reflecting on the events leading up to, as well as the birth of her first child, Jesus. Luke reminds us that "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."  (Luke 2:19) After all, how would you respond to this - "The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28) As Mary pondered all that had taken place - angels and shepherds, Magi and gifts - all this part of the first Christmas, she probably remember those special words that the angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God.  (Luke 1:30) Let us make time today to remember the greatest gift we can ever receive - eternal life through God's Son, Jesus Christ. We, too, are favoured by God. We trust that you will have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Clement Clarke Moore begins his famous poem: 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;" Taking up from there Mike continues with his own version: This was the story as children we'd hear Told over and over as Christmas drew near Anticipation gripped us, excitement arose Hoping for gifts that in hope we chose. As time passed and older we grew We heard the old story, now fresh, now new The angels declared good news to be received "Fear not" the shepherds heard, and so were relieved Today the Saviour is born, in the city of David The message was clear, the message was vivid A Saviour has come - new life and  forgiveness of sin To all who would ask and welcome Him in This is the gift that was given for all, this was the deal The Son came from heaven, the Father's heart to reveal So loved He the world that He became man To those who received Him, eternal life was the plan And so this Christmas with laughter and joy Remember it's not about eating and drinking, not even a toy It's all about Jesus, it's about our King He alone is worthy of the praises we sing." Have a joyous Christmas. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We spend a lot of time in waiting rooms. Some of those waiting rooms are in hospitals where we await word of a diagnosis. Other times we wait for a specific transition period in our lives—graduation, marriage, or having children. We also wait for God to answer our prayers: prayers for healing, hope, and guidance. Understanding God’s timing can be tough. The Christmas story has much to say about waiting and God’s timing. God’s promise to send his Son into the world had the Israelites waiting for years. But the Bible tells us, "When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son."  (Galatians 4:4) God hadn’t forgotten about the Israelites. He was waiting for “the right time” to send his Son. He hasn’t forgotten about you either. We need to trust God and not be afraid. When we fill our life with faith, then we can get rid of the fear. The phrase “fear not” is in the Bible 365 times—once for every day of the year. God is saying to us, “I don’t want you to be afraid. Trust my timing.” David writes: "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him ..."  (Psalms 37:7) Don’t give up on the dream God has given you. Don’t give up on the ministry God has called you to. Don’t give up on the relationship you’re struggling to reignite. God hasn’t given up on you. Don’t give up on him. "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. Have you ever stood by your car door, stuck in a sudden rainstorm, fumbling around to find your key? Though soaked and miserable, perhaps even irritated, when you finally get inside, you're thankful to have found the right one, right? Isaiah reminds us that Jesus Christ has the right key. "I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."  (Isaiah 22:22) So, the moment we trust in Jesus we receive abundant life and our eternal freedom from sin and death begins. He alone opens and closes doors in our lives on a daily basis. We need to accept the Saviour’s  invitation to freedom, daily. No matter how difficult our circumstances, the Lord opens the way to abundant life (John 10:7; John 14:6). And then we also need to pray for the courage to point others toward Jesus, through the door He opens to His kingdom. Jesus is the key to freedom and eternal life,  and it can begin right now. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. It’s called the most wonderful time of the year. It doesn’t feel that way for many people. It may not feel like that for you either. Maybe instead of wonder, you’ve found worry this Christmas season. Instead of experiencing peace on Earth, you’re overwhelmed by stress. Wherever you find yourself this Christmas, Jesus Christ has an incredible offer for you. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) God is offering you true rest from your heavy burdens. Do you find yourself living in a constant state of fatigue and stress? God wants you to rely on and rest in his power. Isaiah says, “He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak” (Isaiah 40:29 TLB). If you’ve been feeling down, anxious, fatigued, or worried this Christmas season, take those worries to God. He’s the one who created you. He loves you and invites you to come home to his peace and strength. Have a great day as you surrender to His rest. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him."  (Romans 15:13) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning . Have you observed people's reaction to darkness? From our earliest years the response to darkness is fear. Even now, as adults, there are those who are still afraid of the dark. It is also interesting to see how the smallest display of light on a dark night catches our attention. Even in our homes, a minimal amount of light seems to bring calmness and reassurance when there is a power outage. Those living without Christ in their lives are in darkness. Isaiah has this to say when Jesus Christ, the light of the world, comes into our lives: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."  (Isaiah 9:2) Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12) As followers of Christ we have a part to play in our circle of influence. Jesus said, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  (Matthew 5:16) As we live our lives for Him, His light shines through us. "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."  (Proverbs 4:18) Have a great day bringing His light to all you come in contact with. Blessings. Mike and Daphne