Search Results

Good morning. "Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple." (Psalms 65:1‭, ‬4) Today we have the opportunity to join with other followers of Christ in worshipping our awesome God. He is worthy of our worship and our praises. In the words of one of Don Moen's songs: "When you lift your hands up high And you sing a song of praise to me It brings me great delight Such a lovely sight And yes, it is true Praise looks good on you." "Morning, night and noon Your praise ascends to heaven Like the smell of sweet perfume Filling every room And yes, it is true Praise looks good on you." "So lift your hands up high And worship him before the altar Consecrate your life A willing sacrifice But in all that you do Remember all he wants is you And yes, it is true Praise looks good on you." Enjoy your time in His presence today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Yesterday was one of those days when life felt like a roller-coaster ride. The news of the passing on of one of our friends felt like the "Big Dipper". However, good memories lifted our spirits. Life carried on. Then out of the blue we would reminded of our departed brother. Reflecting on the ups and downs of life reminded me of the hymn by Clearance Derricks. "I may have doubts and fears My eyes be filled with tears But Jesus is a friend who watches day and night I go to him in prayer He knows my every care And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right" "Now let us have a little talk with Jesus Let us tell Him all about our troubles He will hear our faintest cry And He will answer by and by" "And when you feel a little prayer wheel turnin' And you will know a little fire is burnin' You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right" When we are feeling down, when life's burdens are heavy on our shoulders, remember what Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Look to Him and find rest in Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The past few years have been long and tough. We may well ask: "What have I achieved?" The little I can do is so insignificant, it's not worth doing. We may even feel worthless. Think of • Zacheus: he was so short he was lost in the crowd • the cripple at the pool: life is useless, was ignored by everybody • Martha/Mary, Lazarus' sisters: what's the use? There may be times when giving up seems a good option. "Why me, Lord?" Stop and think about what Jesus has done. His has: • set you free • moved you from a "F" to an "A" • made you the apple of His eye • made you more than a conqueror • made you a significant part of the Body God says you are an "A". "You are my child, whom I love. I am well pleased with you." (Matthew 3:17) Hold your head up high. You are an "A". Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. One-day Jesus was walking down the road with His disciples. Blind Bartimaeus was begging next to the road. When he heard Jesus was passing by, he cried out "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus response to Bartimaeus is the same as it is to you today: "What do you want me to do for you?" We can bring our needs to the One who asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" This same Jesus says to us, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9‭-‬11) You are chosen by God. You are His masterpiece. You are precious. "I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:23) No matter where you find yourself; no matter your circumstances God is asking, "What do you want me to do for you?" Speak to Him. He is a miracle working God. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. People catch the heart of their leaders. This can be positive or negative. The old adage "Monkey see; monkey do" holds true. The level of buy-in to the values of the organization by its leaders will determine the level of buy-in by its members/employees. e.g. honest and integrity, time-keeping, petty theft (if there is such a thing). In the same way a kingdom reflects the heart if its king, as is the case in kingdom of God. In the kingdom of God we find love, righteousness, forgiveness, acceptance, joy, peace ... the list goes on and on . In short the kingdom of God is countercultural. As the kingdom of God advances followers of Christ find themselves in a war zone with a difference. As Don Moen puts it: "We march to the tune of a love song Singing the King's jubilee Anointed to enter the hell gate Anointed to set captives free We lift up our banner of worship And Jesus our Champion we praise An army of worshipers stands by His side Baptized in His fire Revealing His glorious light." In His kingdom you are loved and accepted. Paul reminds us that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) As we go into our daily routine let us demonstrate His "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22‭-‬23) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Reading through the book of Nehemiah one is struck by how a good leader with clarity of vision and steadfast focus on the call of God, inspires people to get behind his vision. People with different gifts and abilities pull together. We see priests, family of noblemen and rulers, goldsmiths and perfume-makers, Levites and merchants, all buying into the vision and working as it were shoulder to shoulder. This reminds us of what David says: "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity ... For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." (Psalm 133:1‭, ‬3) The challenge for each of us is to buy into the vision of our elders/leaders and blow wind into their sails. Together we will experience God's blessings. “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder." (Zephaniah 3:9) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We can go into the week ahead of us with confidence. We do not necessarily know what we may face, but we do know that whatever comes our way, which may make us feel overwhelmed, we can call on God who cares about us. David reminds us in Psalm 61, "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2) Irrespective of the circumstances we find ourselves in, rest assured, God is in control. We can rejoice even when things are tough because it is in those testing times that we are strengthened and grow. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) As we go into the new week, keep close to Him, walk in His love and give it away to those around you. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord .” (Psalm 122:1) We trust that the same sentiment is shared as we join together in worshipping our sovereign Lord today. Worship is our response to His extravagant love which He lavishes on us, so freely. Our prayer for each one today is that we will enjoy being in the presence of the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Today will present us with time to relax with family and friends. As we do so, take a moment to think about the Lord. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10) "They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ” (Zechariah 13:9) “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) Don Moen puts it this way: "Jesus, our healer, provider, Messiah To you we will sing Jesus, you're wonderful, counselor, the mighty God Our soon coming King You're worthy of glory and praise We lift up your name Oh, Lord You're worthy of praise" May your day be filled with joy and peace. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Just like walking under a ladder, crossing paths with a black cat or breaking a mirror, many people hold fast to the belief that Friday the 13th brings bad luck. All through the ages mankind has been drawn into various superstitious beliefs. In 2022 more and more false beliefs abound with all the false news being spread. With the advent of social media we see a daily miracle taking place - the dumb speak! :) John writing his1st letter had very clear future vision when he said: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) Paul writing to Timothy says, "Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:23) So today, on this Friday the 13th, let our minds focus on Jesus, the way and the truth and the life. You are safe in His arms of love. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. With the uptick in the number of covid infections it is important to remain focused on God and not be overcome with fear. Let us not forget that God is still in the business of healing. He said, "I am the Lord , who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26) ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3) "Praise the Lord , my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion," (Psalm 103:2‭-‬4) James tells us what we should do when we are not well when he says: "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up." (James 5:14‭-‬15) Let us take our eyes off of the dreaded virus and fix our gaze on Jesus of whom is said, "people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases ... and he healed them." (Matthew 4:24) As we go about life today, fix your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of your faith. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. When thinking about the Kingdom God the question begs asking, "What defines a kingdom?" Do the borders define it? Does what goes on there define it? Do the citizens of the kingdom define it? When it comes to the Kingdom of God, it is all about the King. He defines it. For us to be in and experience the Kingdom of God comes down to our relationship with the King. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ” (John 3:3) For the Kingdom of God to be a daily reality for us, we must be in Him. Paul reminds us that we are seated with Him in heavenly realms. (Ephesians 2:6) It is all about the King and being found in Him. As Adrienne Camp puts it: "In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My comforter, my all in all Here in the love of Christ I stand." When it comes to the Kingdom of God - the King has the final move! Blessings. Mike and Daphne