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Good morning. Reading the account of the Greeks who were looking for Jesus 5 days before His crucifixion it is interesting to follow what took place. "Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus." (John 12:20‭-‬22) It got me (Mike) thinking. • Does my life reveal that I am friends with Jesus? • Would I tell my friends that someone wants to meet Jesus? • Would I invite them to my Life Group? After all, we talk about Jesus there. • Would I invite them to my church on Sunday? We meet with Jesus there. • Would I acceed to their request and lead them to Jesus? To be to lead someone to Jesus, I must, firstly, have a personal relationship with Him. Secondly, I need to have a clear understanding of what Jesus has done for me and thirdly, explain that Jesus has done the same for them. Fourthly, lead them in a prayer of repentance, acceptance and thanksgiving? What would you do if someone came to you today and asked to meet Jesus? Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. God's enduring love for us is unfathomable. It is not dependant on our circumstances nor our status in life - married, single divorced, widowed, single parent, rich or down and out - He loves us. His plans for us far exceed our current or future circumstances. Isaiah reminds us that God has made us and even to our old age and gray hairs He will: • sustain us • carry us • sustain us • rescue us (Isaiah 46:4) ("He will sustain us" is repeated in this verse. No doubt God wants us to take note!) In Psalm 27:1 David declares, "The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?" Armed with this knowledge, we can face today with confidence. God is in control. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We trust you are well on this crisp winters morning. The proverb "actions speak louder than words" has been around for over 800 years. It is traced to a sermon delivered by St. Anthony of Padua in the 1200s. Our Christian testimony is observed through the magnifying glass of our actions. We so easily slip into the practices defined by the culture of the society in which we live. Our responses are frequently abrupt and harsh in defense of our actions and speech. They are often contrary to those expected of followers of Christ. Paul writing to the Colossians says, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.... forgive one another ... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12‭-‬14) James reminds us that "a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." (James 2:24) So, as we go about our daily routine remember that actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. A lot of people are facing mountains right now - finances, illness, retrenchment, unemployment. They ask themselves, "How are we going to cope?" The bottom line for many is, life is more than tough. It looks insurmountable. What do we do in situations like this? We feel so overwhelmed by everything. We feel like the psalmist and cry out, "Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior." (Psalms 38:22) I, Mike, am reminded of one of the verses in the hymn "What a friend we have in Jesus". "Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer." "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf." (Hebrews 6:19-20) “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10) As we lean on Jesus, our hope and anchor, hand your situation to Him. Your trial will become your triumph. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Michael W Smith sings: "Forever You are faithful Forever You are strong Forever You are with us Forever and ever" The psalmist rightfully asks, "Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?" and then proceeds to answer his own question, "You, Lord , are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you." (Psalms 89:8) When we look back over our lives from the day we were saved until now, God's faithfulness is so evident. He is faithful in His love, protection and provision. Truly there is none like Him. He alone is worthy of praise. Thomas Obadiah Chisholm penned one of the great hymns of our faith. "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changes not, Thy compassion's, they fail not As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be" "Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness Morning by morning new mercies I see All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me" Take a moment to reflect on God's amazing faithfulness towards you as you go into a new week. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. As followers of Christ today we have the opportunity to do to 2 things that are unique to the Body of Christ. • To worship our Sovereign King. • To build up the Body of Christ Paul gives us an indication of how to worship God. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1) We have the opportunity, today, to present ourselves afresh to Him. Paul also tells us what we can do when we come to a church gathering. "What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up." (1 Corinthians 14:26) Isn't it amazing that when we worship God and build up His Body, we come away encouraged and with a spring in our step. Enjoy doing what the world will not be doing today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27) We are able to rest in His peace. Resting in Jesus is more than an intellectual activity. To truly rest in His peace is to understand and know with absolute assurance that He is in control of every facet of our lives, thereby being able to go about living a fear-free life. As we enter the weekend nake time out from your activities and rest in His peace and relax in His arm of love. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Reading through the account leading up to the encounter of David and Goliath, one is struck by David's response to King Saul. "David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:39‭-‬40) What David was effectively saying that he cannot be what he is not. He had to be himself. When we are who God meant us to be we will soar like eagles. It is as if we catch a thermal current and are drawn up to higher heights. Let's go into the day determined to be who God designed us to be. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Today the Christian Church celebrates Ascension Day. For followers of Christ, it is significant because it was essential for Christ to ascend to the Father for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on believers. "But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7) "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever" (John 14:16) Knowing this reinforces the fact that we are not alone. As followers of Christ we have received assurance that Holy Spirit is with us at all times and that we have the power to face all circumstances in the power that comes from Holy Spirit in us. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." (Acts 1:8‭-‬9) Today we give thanks that Jesus ascended to the Father where He is seated with the Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. An amazing repositioning took place when we became followers of Christ; children of God. It will do us good to ponder about what took place at our conversion. According to Paul, a number of things happens to each person who receives Christ as Saviour and Lord. We are: • included in Christ • marked with a seal, the Holy Spirit • guaranteed an inheritance "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13‭-‬14) And if that is not enough, we are seated with Him in the heavenlies. "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6) With this in mind, let us press pause in our daily activities and thank our King for His unending goodness, mercy and grace. God bless you. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Driving down the road, we observed a "well oiled", inebriated man staggering down the pavement. As the African proverb says, "he was herding goats" as he stumbled first to his left then to his right and back again. Reflecting on this, reminds us of what Mike's friend Paul says. "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) I, Mike, am reminded of when I was a brand new follower of Christ how, when I was in a group with other Christ followers, how I would want what they had. There was something special about them. What is noticeable is that both those who are inebriated and those who are filled with the Spirit, are observable. Both are under the influence - one of alcohol, the other of the Spirit. The drunkard usually becomes loud and raucous; the Spirit filled person demonstrates love, joy and peace. The drunkard staggers around, while the one filled with the Spirit walks uprightly before man and God. Our encouragement for you today is to keep on being filled with the Spirit and to enjoy His presence. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We trust that you had am enjoyable weekend and are ready to face the week ahead. Yesterday we were reminded of God's goodness towards us and our response to Him. The prophet Isaiah says: "The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:8‭-‬9) The moment we became followers of Christ, our past was dealt with - no more having the weight of guilt, disgrace and despair hanging over us. Paul reminds us in his letter to the church in Rome that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1‭-‬2) "This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9) So, as we go into the new week, we do so with a spring in our step. No need to be overcome with despair and despondency. We have it on good authority that our awesome King is still in control. Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne