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Good morning. The Scriptures reveal aspects of the Divine exchange which took place with the crucifixion of Christ on the cross. • Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness, that we could become righteous with His righteousness. Paul says, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) • Jesus died our death so that we might share His life. James writes, "and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:15) Hebrews 2:9 says, "But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while ... so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." • Jesus became poor with our poverty that we might become rich with His riches. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 9:8, " For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9) in 2 Corinthians 9:8 Paul sums up our position when he says "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. The Divine exchange places the followers of Christ in a privileged position. "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6) Enjoy your day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The entire gospel message revolves around the historical event that we celebrate today, Good Friday. 700 years before Christ was crucified, Isaiah wrote: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) Derick Prince on his book "Blessing or Curse: You Can Choose" reminds us of the Divine exchange that took place on the cross. On the cross all the evil due to us came upon Jesus and all the good due to Jesus might be offered to us. In this Divine exchange: • Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven. • Jesus was wounded that we might be healed. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) The effects of this exchange extend throughout time into eternity. We have so much to be thankful for. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. There is security in being a child of God. John records Jesus's words in John 10:28. "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." What does being in the hand of God mean for us as followers of Christ? • It is a place of direct communication. • It is a place of deliverance. (Psalm 17:7) • It is a place of power and miracles. (Psalm 45:4) • It is a place of effectiveness. (Psalm 118:15) • It is a place of boldness and courage. (Isaiah 41:14) • It is a place of sustenance. (Psalm 18:35) • It is a place of stability and security. (Psalm 139:10) With this in mind, take a moment to give thanks to our Father for holding you firmly in His hand. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul has encouraging words for us in 2 Corinthians 3:3-5 & 12. "You are a letter from Christ ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." (2 Corinthians 3:3‭) Knowing this engenders within us • confidence - a confidence that is endorsed by Christ through Holy Spirit • competence - not own ability, but a competence that comes through Christ • hope - a hope that is secured in Christ • boldness - that comes through the hope we have in Him Armed with this knowledge we can face the future with a spring in our step. Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The book of Jonah is about "A Tale of Three Cities". Each of these cities reveals something of our heart condition before God. • Joppa: Where we find ourselves when we say "no" to God. This is a place of rebellion - where we make excuses not to do what God requires us to do. • Tarshish: Where we find ourselves headed when running from God. While we may be surrounded by people, this is a lonely place - where we just want to withdraw and curl up by ourselves. • Nineveh: Where we are called to go to by God. It is here where God's purposes are achieved. Despite how we may feel, lives are impacted for God. Where do you find yourself today? It is God's desire for each of us to be in Nineveh fulfilling His purpose for each of us. It is never too late to leave Joppa or Tarshish. We do this by following what Paul says, "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) Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul writes to the church at Ephesus and uses a number of pictures of the "church". Each picture reveals a different aspect of God to us. The church is pictured as: • Workmanship - we see God's creativity • Household - we see God as father • Building - we see God as architect • Temple - we see God's dwelling place • Body - we see God as head of the body • Bride - we see God as the groom • Army - we see God as the commander-in-chief These pictures also reveal something about us: • Workmanship - we are pliable clay in His hands • Household - we are in a loving relationship with Him • Building - we are built together according to His pattern • Temple - in His presence we experience holiness • Body - we respond to the head in obedience • Bride - we are prepared in order to show His glory • Army - we are soldiers in His service carrying out His commands In the week ahead let's meditate on the pictures of the church (1 a day for 7 days). Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. This morning we have the opportunity to worship the Lord together. The focal point of our worship is Jesus Christ our Lord. When we focus on Him we find: • Peace - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (Isaiah 26:3) • Rest - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) • Renewed strength - "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31) • Security - "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10) Have a wonderful time of worship in His presence today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The last will and testament of Joe Blogs: "I, Joe Blogs, being of sound mind and body, spent it all." Jesus' last will and testament makes it possible for us to share His spiritual riches. Herein lies amazing truth. • He chose us: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world ..." (Ephesians 1:4) • He adopted us: "He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will" (Ephesians 1:5) • He accepted us: "to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." (Ephesians 1:6) Enjoy basking in the knowledge that He loves you. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. One day Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13‭-‬15) • He is the calmer of storms. (Luke 8:22-25) What storm are you going through? Like the disciples, call on Him. He brings calm to the storm • He is the bearer of burdens. (Matthew 11:28) Take your burdens to Him. You will find rest for your soul. • He is the lifter of heads. (Psalm 3:3) When you feel down come to Him and allow Him to show you how He sees you. In the words of Josh Groban's song: "You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas I am strong, when I am on your shoulders You raise me up to more than I can be" That's our God! Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. For many people the past 2 years have resulted in a hesitancy to make a commitment to anything. Notwithstanding the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic commitment to God and His ways is important. We read of the demise of many of the kings of Israel due to their lack of commitment to God. Jotham, however was different. "Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God." (2 Chronicles 27:6) Commitment: • Shows our values. What we commit our time and money to shows what is really important - work, family, health, church. • Shape our lives. e.g. making money - life becomes shaped by that; being popular- life is shaped by that. • Determines our destiny. How we use our lives on earth will have eternal consequences. Let us take time to assess our commitments. It has been said that if Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "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) We renew our minds through: 1. Saturation with God's Word and Holy Spirit - both lead to revelation. 2. Meditation on God's Word. Different sections reveal different aspects of God. • Books of wisdom reveal God's ways • Psalms deal with issues of the heart • Proverbs deal with issues of life • The history books remind us of God's dealing with His people • The prophets reveal God's plans for history 3. Expectation to see what God is doing. When we see God moving, we can hop on board and be part of what He is doing. Paul asks, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things?" (Romans 8:31a) and proceeds to provide us with the answer: "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) Make time to spend time in God’s Word every day. Blessing. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Reading about Abraham one cannot but be amazed at his faith in God. Faith to him was obedience to God's commands without knowing what the outcome would be. Take for example the account recorded in Genesis 22:2-3. "Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about." Looking at Abraham's faith we see that faith • doesn't allow us to settle down • results in perseverance • does not fear what man thinks • does unconventional things in obedience • brings us into the exploits of God The question begs asking - how's your faith in God? We can answer this question intellectually or we can answer out of having experienced God's faithfulness. Our prayer is that each one will have an unshakeable faith in God based on the fact that God is who He said He is and will do what He said He will do. Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne