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Good morning. David, the psalmist, the King, the commander of an army, shepherd and friend, knew something of the gift of leading. He took his cue from his deep relationship with the Lord. As we read Psalm 23, we see that he knew that a good leader • Meets the needs of his followers • Brings peace of mind • Provides refreshing • Guides along right ways • Lets his followers feel secure • Comforts his followers when necessary • In all circumstances, looks after the spiritual well-being of his followers When a leader leads empowered by the gift of leading, his followers • Will have a sence of satisfaction • Will experience goodness and love • Will have a desire live close to God As we meditate in this Godly leadership, follow Paul's instruction: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Looking at the life of Jesus Christ, there are 2 things stand out. • He focused on what mattered most. Jesus had a goal, knew what it was, and moved toward it with powerful resolve. Luke describes Jesus’ sense of focus like this: “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will” (Luke 9:51 TLB). Jesus knew he was going to Jerusalem to die. He was determined to do what God called him to do. The key to effectiveness is focusing like a laser on what God has called you to do. • He spent time alone with God. The Bible says it was Jesus’ habit to pray (Luke 22:39). Even Jesus needed time in his life to renew, reflect, and recharge. Jesus was convinced that no matter how busy he was, he needed to take time to be alone with God and pray. We all need this habit in our lives. Colossians 2:7 says, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him” (NLT). It’s easy to let your time with the Lord slide when your life gets busy, but if you plant your life in Christ every morning, you’ll soon find your stress level dropping. Whether we have the gift to lead or not, let's emulate the example of our Lord on what we do today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul writes, "Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task." (1 Timothy 3:1) God appointed elders perform the noble task of leading the local church. The gift of leadership demonstrates the ability and power to guide and oversee the activities if the church id the spiritual good of all. While those who have this gift have the ability to seemingly lead effortlessly, it is not to be done haphazardly. Paul admonishes us concerning the spiritual gift of leading by saying, "if it is to lead, do it diligently." (Romans 12:8) As we recently said concerning all the gifts of the Spirit, we should follow Jehoshaphats advice to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord .” (1 Kings 22:5) Paul was an example of a gifted leader whose goal was to "develop Christ- centered, Spirit-empowered and spiritually mature followers of Jesus." (Colossians 1:28) Leadership carries with it a huge responsibility, as the writer to the Hebrews says, "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account." (Hebrews 13:17) Leaders will give an account for those entrusted to them. If you are a leader, lead diligently. Blessings. Mike and Daphne.

Good morning. Paul in his 2nd letter to the Corinthian Church says, "But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (2 Corinthians 8:7) As followers of Christ we can give generously for different reasons. • In response to receiving the gift of salvation from the greatest Giver. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) • Giving is the extension of our worship of and thanksgiving to our Lord, Jesus Christ. "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." (2 Corinthians 9:12) • Giving is an act of sowing into the Kingdom of God. "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:10) We must not confuse the gift of giving with bringing our tithes to the Lord. When we give, we do so over and above the tithe. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." (Malachi 3:10) When we tithe, we bring what belongs to God. He promises to bless us when we do. This is amazing. Let's continue to give in response to God's goodness and provision Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. When it comes to giving generously, (as with the gift of giving) we do so cheerfully. We had a gentleman in GraceCov that when it came time for the tithes and offerings would jump up and dance round in front of his seat praising God as he gave. He maintained that it was a display of cheerful giving. While the gift of giving is over and above the tithe, it displays the same attitude. There are pitfalls to be avoided when it comes to the gift of giving. When giving, we need to beware of attaching conditions to the use of the gift - even if the giving is in response to an appeal. When we provide a gift to meet an individual's need, it is best done through the eldership of your church to avoid soul ties and pride creeping in. Generosity in giving does not have to be from a place of wealth. Often those who have little, are the most generous givers. Generosity is not restricted to the area of finances. One may give generously of one's time and talent. As is the case with all the gifts of the Spirit, we should follow Jehoshaphats advice to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord .” (1 Kings 22:5) Have a good start to the week. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us... if your gift is giving, then give generously" (Romans 12:6‭, ‬8) The gift of giving us the ability to generously contribute material resources and/or money over and above the tithe so that the Body may grow and be strengthened. It is the God-given desire, ability and power, because one has the resources above life's needs, to give freely of one's personal possessions to the needs of God's work or people. Paul writes to the Corinthian Church and acknowledges their readiness to send a generous gift. He continues to explain that it is God who provides for them to be generous. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver... Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:7,10‭-‬11) We know that we are exercising the gift of giving when we do so willingly, not reluctantly. As we worship God together, today, let's ask God to increase this gift in us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We cannot give what we do not have. This is particularly true when it comes to teaching. As followers of Christ our ability to teach is directly related to our relationship with our Father. Right from the beginning God stressed the importance of His Word when He said, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds ... Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 11:18‭-‬19) The gift of teaching is more than a good presentation. It is the ability to clearly explain and apply the Bible in a way that causes others to learn. Paul reminds Timothy "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved ... who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) Peter tells us, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15) For us to be effective in our Christian walk, spending time in the Word is a categorical imperative. It has been said that if your intake is less than your output, your upkeep will be your downfall. Let's go into the world ready to teach out of our relationship with our Father. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The key to the gifts of the Spirit operating is that there is a sensitivity to Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit imparts love and it is in the environment of love that the gifts of the Spirit flow. Paul's well known chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13) is sandwiched between 2 chapters dealing with the gifts of the Spirit. On 1 Corinthians 14:1 he says, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit," Holy Spirit inspires hope. The gifts of the Spirit are given to build up the body of Christ. As the writer to the Hebrews puts it, "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds," (Hebrews 10:24) Holy Spirit gives freedom. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17) And where there is freedom, there is a liberty for the gifts to flow. Our sensitivity to the prompting of Holy Spirit should be the same as the sensitivity Jesus had for His Father. “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (John 5:19) As we go about our daily routine today, let's prioritize being sensitive to Holy Spirit at all times. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. A followers of Christ have the grace gifts that Paul writes about in Romans 12 in different ratios. That means that to a lesser or greater degree we all have the gifts of service, mercy, teaching, encouragement, etc. etc. The more we exercise these gifts the more accomplished we will become in each of them. Take teaching for example. We may feel that we do not have this gift. Yet Jesus says to each of us, "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19‭-‬20) We somehow have the idea that the gift of teaching requires us to stand in front of people presenting them with a structured message/lecture. However, we must remembere the first part of the Great Commision - "go and make disciples". How do we do this? Through relationship and by demonstrating Christian lifestyle. In doing this, we will be carrying out the Great Commision by teaching a new disciple. The heart of discipleship - each one teach one to reach one and teach one. If you are not already doing this, ask God to show you someone that you can disciple. Let's do it! Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Both the gift encouragement and the gift of teaching are gifts given to the body of Christ to edify others. As Terran Williams says, "Encouragers tend to have great communication skills ... using words to inspire action." The writer to the Hebrew says, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds," (Hebrews 10:23‭-‬24) We have a hope in Christ which enables us to to remain positive in every situation. Consequently we are in a position to reach out and lift each other up and through our words help others to move forward as well as grow. Often it is in our Life Groups that we teach and encourage each other. It is here, in a safe environment, where we get the opportunity to use our Spiritual gifts without the fear of being put down. Peter tells us to always "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15) This is what takes place in our Life Groups as we follow the prompting of Holy Spirit and exercise the edifying grace gifts. It is in Life Group where we can grow in our gifting. We encourage you to slot into a group. Blessings. Mike and Daphne.

Good morning. When I, Mike, was in primary school I had a wonderful, wise Afrkaans language teacher who turned everyday situations into learning opportunities. He would overhear our schoolboy chatter about our soapbox cars we raced down the street the day before and use it as an opportunity to teach us Afrikaans syntax. That's just what Jesus did. When He wanted to get the disciples to understand reaching the lost, He pointed to the fields and said to them, "Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. (John 4:35‭-‬36) Paul reminds us that " Christ himself gave ... teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:11‭-‬12) Those with the gift of teaching have the ability to educate God's people by clearly explaining and applying the Bible in a way that causes them to learn. Jesus had the ability to use everyday situations and use them to teach His followers. He did this with the 12 as well as with crowds of over 5000. Be encouraged to keep your eyes and ears open to the teaching possibilities of everyday situations. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. When we find ourselves feeling down or distressed, and we begin to withdraw, one thing is for sure, God knows exactly how we are feeling and where to find us, as was the case with Hagar when she ran away from Sarah into the desert. (Genesis 16) David reminds us in the Shepherd's Psalm that "even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalms 23:4) David had a clear view that he was not forgotten nor forsaken. Time and time again we see in the Scriptures that either God himself, or somebody He sends, comes to encourage His followers. Elijah running away from Jezebel sat down under a broom bush and prayed that he may die. Twice an angel of the Lord came to lift him up before the Lord himself came to Elijah and encouraged and strengthened him for what lay ahead. (1 Kings 19) Irrespective of where you find yourself at this point in time, God is able to use you to encourage someone who needs to be encouraged. He, through Holy Spirit, can give you the gift of encouragement. He took Elijah from inside the dark cave and used him to anoint Elisha as his successor. We must never underestimate what God will do through the gifts He places in us. Wherever we find ourselves we need to stay available for God to use us to encourage those around us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne