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Good morning. Things don’t always go according to our plans. Life is not lived without any bumps in the road. Failure is not found within these bumps, it is found when we allow these bumps to stop us in our tracks. We cannot control what happens to us, we can only control our response to it. It has been said that life is ten percent what happens to us and ninety percent how we react to it. God is busy developing us for the plan that He has for us. Having certainty in times of uncertainty does not mean turning a blind eye to what’s going on around us. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have feelings of fear, we’re only human. It means that we, as followers of Christ, choose to have faith in the midst of the fear and negativity that may surround us. It means that even with fear in our minds, we know that the Lord will provide us with whatever we need to carry on. In times of uncertainty, we find certainty in God's Word. God is sure. "As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord ’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." (Psalms 18:30) We live in a limited world but we serve a limitless God. Have a good day holding onto the truth that God is in control. He will do what He said He will do. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In times of uncertainty, we choose to be certain. We have survived every bad day so far. Every circumstance and setback. We are undefeated. We have faced terrifying opponents who seemed to have the advantage, and yet we have come out the victor. We have certainty, not in our circumstances and situations, but in our God, who provides for and protects us. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalms 46:1) To be without Christ is to be without peace; to be uncertain. Being in the right relationship with God is only thing that can give us peace. As followers of Christ we need to introduce an uncertain world to a certain Jesus. We must let the world around us know that He cares for us and them; let them know that they can cast all their anxiety on Him because He cares for them. As followers of Christ, we must never lose sight of our mandate to bring hope to people. We have a gospel of hope - hope of eternal life, the hope of Jesus. As we go about life today, introduce an uncertain world to a certain Jesus. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Every day, people all over the world turn their tv on and watch the news. Global events are discussed on nearly every channel. Negativity is all over the internet. Fear and negativity are found in abundance. We allow this negativity to permeate our minds. We worry about whatever ongoing war there is, whatever new disease is being spread, whatever the stock markets are doing. It is no secret that there is a large amount of darkness in this world, ready to pull those willing to listen under its grasp. But there is also a lot of light and where there is light, darkness cannot prevail. For followers of Christ the light that shines on the darkest times is the word of God. The Bible is our source of never-ending light. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that "God's "word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Irrespective of what we are going through at the moment let us allow God to guide us through His Word. Let the "Light of the world" shine His light on us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:9‭-‬11) Many followers of Christ might assume that they automatically have complete joy once they become a Christian. But then when something bad happens, ... Aren’t we supposed to have joy in our trials? What’s missing? Joy is not automatic. It is a discipline, a daily choice we must make. Joy is incomplete without Jesus. As we face the stressors of today, let's pray for God to increase our capacity for joy in a stressful world and that as we live for Him our joy will increase. As we worship together with our church families today may we experience more of His joy. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In the midst of growing stress, culture tells us the best we can do is push on and chase the next happy moment. These happy moments may bring temporary relief from our mounting stress, and if we’re fortunate enough, they can make us forget about our stress for a while. But escaping our stress by chasing happiness is actually the recipe for even greater stress. When we’re going through trials, it’s impossible to be happy. Our external circumstances won’t allow it. It is, however, possible to have joy. Our internal hope in God can give us the satisfaction of growing through the greatest of trials. We can grow through stress by cultivating joy in God. Not only does this make us feel better, it makes us better people as well. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will be joyful in God my Savior. 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 3:17‭-‬19) In our circumstances let us find our strength and joy in the Lord. Have a joyful weekend. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 MSG) When we respond to our circumstances with Jesus instead of distractions, we find true rest. His love is more rewarding and fulfilling than anything we can find on Earth. Sharing life with others enables us to share the weight of our burdens with them. Our friends and leaders can help us through tough times, encourage us, and give us wisdom when we are searching for clarity. We shouldn’t withhold our struggles. We are better together! Proverbs 17:17 in the message says: "Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble." David, the psalmist, reminds us that "the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18) and that "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalms 147:3) Today, as we draw close to Him, allow Him to draw close to us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In our busyness, we tend to miss moments - the moments that truly matter. We go from work, rushing the children to activities, homework, making dinner, trying to have a social life, to ending the day on our phone and its false realities. Our days are full of activities, but we are not fulfilled. In fact, many of us live in a constant state of low-level anxiety because we live by the world’s standard of success and busyness. God offers us something much better. It’s an invitation to pause and find true joy in God’s presence. "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!" (Psalm 84:1) It is there,where we find that "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11) When we are present with God and open our ears to His voice, He can give us direction to lead a fulfilling life. We don’t have to be in “go-mode” until we run dry and empty. In His presence is fullness of joy and peace - if we are present in His presence. As we meet with our Father in our daily quiet time let us do so by giving Him our undivided presence. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We may feel as if we are not good enough for anyone or anything. Our lack of accomplishments, abilities, or money may leave us feeling insignificant. Despite our inadequacy, insufficiency, sin, and brokenness, God loves us and accepts us as we are. Jesus on the cross is proof of His love for us. He gave everything of Himself to compensate for everything that we are not.When we meet with Jesus just as we are, He fills in all of our insufficiencies with His value and worth. Paul, writing of his struggles said, "But he said to me, “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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Don’t disqualify yourself. Jesus has already qualified you. Because of Him, you are more than enough. He calls us His children. Today, focus on who we are in Christ who presents us faultless in the Father's presence, with great joy. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Has anyone told you that you have a bright future ahead of you? In case no one has let me (Mike) tell you - you have a bright future ahead of you. My friend Paul reminds us "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) The past has come and gone and, for followers of Christ, the best is yet to come. "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 43:19) In 1 Corinthians 2:9 Paul reminds us, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him" Instead of focusing on the darkness that tries to consume us in hard seasons, we can acknowledge the promise in Jesus’ sacrifice. We have not yet experienced our best days. We can face our future with confidence - God has it all planned. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. At the start of a new week it is good to remind us that God has a plan for each one of us. In uncertain times doubt tends to creep in which may cause us to become anxious. We need to remind ourselves that: • God's plan is for our good. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) • God's plan is sure. "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10‭-‬11) • God works His plan through Holy Spirit. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:26‭-‬27) Rest in the assurance that when we are doubtful and become anxious, "the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Where do we find your identity? Is it in our job? Oour relationships? Our grades or accomplishments? our position or title? Our appearance? If any of these things disappeared tomorrow, would we still know who we are without them? While caring about these things isn’t bad, we cannot place our identity and hope in temporary things because they will inevitably fade away. The best way for us to find identity is in Jesus, through a relationship with Him. My (Mike) friend, Paul, reminds us, "For in him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) Let's make use of the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Him today, as we worship Him together with fellow followers of Christ. Have a super Sunday. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. What one thing keeps you moving forward? Is it the promise of future earnings? Is it the dreams you’ve set for yourself? Most of us see hope as something we wish for. The strength of that hope lies within the strength of our desires. Biblical hope, however, is different. Biblical hope is described as the confident expectation of what God has promised. Biblical hope is like packing your bags and waiting by the front door way before your trip begins. Its strength is in God’s faithfulness alone. God is faithful to us as a result of His faithfulness to His Word. According to His word, He has a plan for our lives. Proverbs 23:18 says, “Surely there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” "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) Have a good Saturday. Blessings. Mike and Daphne