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Good morning. There is a hymn that is sung at Christmastime, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The hymn hinges on the name Emmanuel (or Immanuel), meaning “God with us” (Matthew  1:23). John reminds us, “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Jesus is not merely a good teacher or prophet—He is God Incarnate, the wisdom of God in human form. That truth is the foundation of our hope. While we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, our focus is mostly on our family members and friends. Let us also take time in the 5 remaining days before Christmas to pray that our Immanuel will draw many people—“from every tribe, language, ... and nation” (Revelation 5:9)—to Himself, until the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of God’s glory. "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen."  (Psalms 72:19) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. When you think of God, what picture forms in your mind? The gospels mention children coming to Jesus. Some of them probably climbed onto His lap, while others perhaps sat at His feet. We might picture them asking Him lots of questions, begging to hear more parables. It isn’t surprising that they would gather around Jesus, who loves us perfectly. Contrast this with how some folk see God —a judgmental taskmaster who motivates by intimidation. When we picture a harsh God, we end up devoting much time and energy trying to “earn” our salvation. We are to obey God’s commands. We’re also to delight in Him just as we would in the company of a close friend. God’s sovereign authority is perfectly balanced with everlasting, unconditional love. He wants His children to relax and enjoy spending time with Him. Our Father looks past our flaws and instead sees the precious child He created. In fact, because of His great love, He sent Jesus Christ to save our life so we could be with Him for eternity "Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn ... "  (Psalms 37:4‭-‬6) Enjoy your day with God by your side. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. What’s your first response when we are going through a trial? It's a natural response to want to run away from it. God, however, has a different way. How should we react when difficulties feel overwhelming? • Trust God. Believe His Word and reflect on His faithfulness in the past. He assures us that He limits our trials and enables us to endure. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."  (1 Corinthians 10:13) • Persevere. Even when we don’t understand and the pain seems too much to bear, we shouldn’t give up. Hang on to hope in Christ and praise Him in the midst of the pain. • Remember the Lord is in control. God allows difficulties for a reason and sustains us through it. When we encounter difficulties and painful trials that seem too much for us, we can rely on our Father to deliver and guide us in ways we could never imagine. He doesn’t expect us to endure on our own. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Deuteronomy 31:6) Trials are an opportunity to see God work on our behalf in ways we can’t imagine. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

"There's a call it's coming from the mountain To one and all There's a call a call to every tribe and nation Worship Him the Lamb who sits upon the Throne" "Come and worship royal priesthood Come and praise Him holy nation Show forth His praise show forth His power This is the day this is the hour For this is the day that the Lord has made Let us rejoice and be glad" (Don Moen - Come and Worship) Today we intentionally remember the One the angels announced to the shepherds saying: "Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  (Luke 2:11) Today it is all about Him, our Lord and sovereign King. So let us rejoice and be glad. Come, now is the time to worship. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We meet Simeon on the day Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple for his circumcision ceremony. As they were preparing to dedicate their eight-day-old son to God, in another part of town, Simeon felt a nudge to get to the temple (see Luke 2:27). This wasn’t the first time God had spoken so clearly to Simeon. Once before God had assured  him that he would see the Messiah before he died (see Luke 2:26). For Simeon, it wasn’t a question of if, but when it would happen. Biblical hope is the confident expectation that something good is just ahead. But since it’s not there yet, we have to stay alert. And one day, hope pays off. All the waiting gives way to wonder. "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace" (Luke 2:28–29). His careful waiting had led to joyous wonder. Ever have a divine prompting like that? It might be mysterious; perhaps a name you haven’t thought of in years flashes through your mind, and you feel the urgent need to pause and pray. Like Simeon, we all need to listen, wait,  and then respond appropriately to God's prompting. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul devoted his time and energy to instructing fellow believers and praying for them. He recognized the value of time spent encouraging Christians to do everything as if for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). This is important to remember, even when our task seems unrelated to the church. Kingdom work isn’t just for missionaries and pastors. God calls us all to different fields and assignments. Paul also knew that the Christian life encompasses struggles. And he was realistic about his own imperfections .This meant that to make the best use of his time, he needed to persevere, keep faith in God’s promises, and rely on divine power for victory. At the end of his life, Paul was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Life is a gift. Ask God to help you spend your time on what matters. Every one of us has a limited number of days on this earth. How will you utilize your time so you can look back and, with Paul, confidently say that you ended well? Let's go and live our lives for Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Before we know it, 2024 will be here. We all know the beginning of the year is a great time for a fresh start in your life, don't we. It’s when we try new diets, new budgets, and (often) new plans for our lives. If you’re already eyeing a change in 2024, don’t overlook the most important place to start: All change starts in your mind. • Your thoughts direct your life.  Every action and reaction in your life begins as a thought. If you don’t think it, it won’t happen. Good thoughts lead to good behavior. Bad thoughts lead to bad behavior. That means anything you’re hoping to change about your life in 2024, starts in your thoughts. • Your struggles in 2023 were in your mind. Every struggle you felt this year was centered in your mind. You may not be surprised that internal struggles - depression, fear, anxiety, etc. - are rooted in your brain. But even external ones, such as conflicts in your family or at work, start in your mind. • Your mind is where God’s spirit is at work in you. Paul tells us: "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) 2024 could be the most important year of your life. It may be the year that changes you and your family forever. But if that change is going to happen, it’ll start in your mind. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Sharing the gospel doesn’t have to be complicated. Have you ever noticed the length of Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost? It takes less than three minutes to read. Sharing the gospel doesn’t need to be complicated or lengthy, and Peter’s sermon is an example we can follow for our own testimonies. •  Peter spoke of the “miracles, wonders and signs” that validated Jesus as the promised Messiah, and then he communicated that the Lord’s mission was to die for mankind’s sin. • Peter made sure his listeners knew their part in the Messiah’s death but quickly gave the exciting news that Christ was alive. Many were convicted of their sin and asked what they must do. They were told to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name. No gospel message is complete without telling people how they, too, can be saved. • Peter relied on Holy Spirit. He knew that it is the Holy Spirit who ultimately makes the case for Christ. No matter how persuasive a man’s message is, only Holy  Spirit can change unbelieving hearts and minds. Witnessing to others doesn’t have to be complicated. Our part is prayer, willingness  and compassion. We leave the outcome to God. Let's go for it and bring good news just like the angels did. This time of the year people are more open than other times to hear the real message of Christmas. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. What a wonderful time of year! For those of us who are alive in Christ, the very air sparkles with excitement as we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Saviour and King. Let’s reflect on the baby who was born to be our sovereign Lord. His birth was prophesied 700 years prior to His birth. Even the location was foretold: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah ... out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) Just think about that. The Son of God existed eternally and was the Creator of all things, yet He entered His own created world as a helpless baby. Jesus was anything but an ordinary baby. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a virgin’s womb. God’s Son in human flesh An angel told Joseph to name Him “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The prophets said He would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the God who became man to walk among us and be our Saviour. "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2:9‭-‬11) We are forever thankful that He came, reached out to us and has given us the ultimate gift - the gift of eternal life. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul has a wonderful way of reminding us of why it was important for God to send His Son to live and die for the world. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."  (Romans 5:1‭-‬2‭, ‬5) This peace is amazing. It is translated from the Greek verb eiro (the root word from which peace is derived) which means “to join, tie together into a whole.” When we said “yes” to the Lord’s generous offer of salvation, all the broken pieces of ourselves were put back together. All the gaps were filled. There is now nothing missing, nothing broken. This peace surpasses our understanding.  (Philippians 4:7). When Jesus slept in the storm-tossed boat, He demonstrated what that looks like: safe and at rest, no matter what was going on around Him (Matthew 8:24-26). This is the peace we are called to dwell in. Let us not forget to extend His peace to others who need it so desperately. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. No one likes waiting, but doing so is often the wisest course of action for everyday choices as well as for larger, more consequential ones. We have countless examples both in Scripture and throughout church history that can help us cultivate a spirit of endurance in our own life. James uses an farming metaphor to encourage us to wait patiently. "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."  (James 5:7-8,11) When God asks us to wait, we can be certain that He intends for a blessing to follow. Enjoy waiting on the Lord with fellow followers of Christ today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning . Have you noticed that there is an increasing build-up of anticipation in the air. Folk are making the final plans for "their" Christmas. Many of us rush from appointment to appointment as we shop, cook, and attend concerts, special church services, and other gatherings. Some of us look forward to the time with loved ones and the busyness of the Christmas season, while others of us breathe a sigh of relief when it’s all over. The anticipation of Christmas can be a reminder of the One who is coming and motivate a year-round mindset of preparing ourselves for a lasting, eternal celebration with our Lord. Worshipping our coming King, obeying Him, serving Him, and always seeking to be faithful in things big and small. That’s the kind of preparation we can make, not just at this season but every day of our life. Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of the lead up to Christmas and relax in the presence of our soon coming King. Blessings. Mike and Daphne