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Good morning. Sometimes things happen that make us feel down. When this happens we need encouragement. When we encourage, we motivate people to act on Biblical principles, especially when they are discouraged or wavering in their faith. Encouragement has the ability to bring out the best in others and challenge them to develop their potential. Spirit led encouragement and prophecy are sometimes indistinguishable. Prayers anointed by the Holy Spirit are very similar in nature to prophecies. They reveal God’s intent and purpose. One of these prayers is found in 3 John. “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." (3 John 1:2) Paul prays: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people," (Ephesians 1:17‭-‬18) Wow! Talk of being encouraged through a prophetic prayer. Doesn't it stir you to lift Him up, to worship Him, our awesome God. Be encouraged as worship Him today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Paul reminds us that we are all part of the body of Christ and that each one of is significant and has a part to play. He also tells us to "eagerly desire the greater gifts." (1 Corinthians 12:31) It is important to understand that as we go through a course such as "Gifted", we are actually on a quest to to identify the gifts of the Spirit more than finding out what gift(s) we individually have. The 7 grace gifts we are looking at in Romans 12:6-8 tell us more about God than what "I" have. • Prophecy: God still speaks to us today to build up, cheer up and lift up • Service: God's practical assistance in meeting needs cheerfully showing His love • Teaching: God building up His Body for ministry • Encouragement: God’s care and His desire to lift us up • Generous giving: God’s on-going provision • Leading: God guiding and overseeing the activities of His Body • Mercy: God demonstrating compassion Is this not more than enough reason to thank and praise God? Have a blessed day as we contemplate the goodness of our awesome, loving Father. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) Terran Williams says: "Jesus' love of people, as individuals, was perhaps His most striking characteristics. That's why the heart of Christlikeness is compassion and mercy, a deep care for people." While our primary gift may not be service or mercy, we all have a desire to be more like Christ. For us as followers of Christ, the only way to grow in Christlikeness is through pursuing a deeper relationship with Him on a daily basis. As we do this our lives will be marked with compassion in increasing measure. We are to respond to Jesus' Great Command - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) God's plan for us has always been for us to be in relationship with Him resulting in an outworking of His love through us into the world. "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10) Let's take time to ask the Lord what good works will demonstrate His heart. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45) Have a good day doing the good works prepared for you to do. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. When it comes to the grace gifts of service and mercy, Brad Lane puts it succinctly when he says, "Service - Doing for others what they could do for themselves. Mercy - Doing for others what they can’t do for themselves." Service and mercy are gifts which demonstrate God's love. Paul tells us how to go about this when he says in Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." He takes it a step further by saying, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) There is no better way to show service and mercy than to follow the example of our Lord. Jesus said He came to serve and we see that He dispensed mercy where ever He went. He healed those who were brought to Him. He fed crowds. He raised the dead. His final act on the cross before he died was to show mercy to the thief who was hanging on the cross next to His when He said, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Shall we endeavor to have the same mindset as our Lord as we go about our daily business? Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7) The sentiment of these words spoken by Jesus in what has become known as the "Sermon on the Mount" is as applicable today as it was then. Paul writing to the church in Rome concerning the grace gifts of the Spirit says, "...if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." (Romans 12:8) Mercy is the ability to detect hurt and empathize with those who are suffering. Thise with the gift of mercy have the ability to provide compassionate and cheerful support to those experiencing distress crisis or pain. The account of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) is a wonderful example of mercy in action. In a world where it appears that passing judgement is far more evident than showing mercy - when we see the beggar at the traffic lights, it is easier to think judgemental thoughts rather than being merciful. James has a timely reminder for us when he says, "Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13) As followers of Christ, the gift of mercy is a wonderful gift to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ both to the world around us, and within the body of Christ. Let us be cheerful dispensers of mercy. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.... You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary." (Revelation 2:2‭-3) We are reminded time and time again in scripture that our actions should speak louder than words. Jesus demonstrated what service is when He walked here on earth. He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34‭-‬35) It is so easy to fall into the trap of allowing our service to become "the" thing, that we lose sight of who we are doing it for and why. Our service must always be motivated by our love for Him and and the desire to let His love shine through our service. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) One af the dangers of being consumed by serving, is that service is given a higher priority than love for God as was the case with the church in Ephesus. "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." (Revelation 2:4) As we go about serving others today, let's do so motivated by our love for Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Brad Lane, who leads The Crossing Curch, summed up "service" in one sentence in his message to his church yesterday. He said, "Service. Doing for others what they could do for themselves." While not everybody has the gift of service, we must never lose sight of the fact that as followers of Christ we are all called to serve. When it comes to serving it is easy to feel that we just need a break from doing. Those with the gift of service will ask, "How can I assist? What can I do to make life easier for others by helping?" Those performing a task or simply doing a job in their own strength may ask, "Why me? Why don't others help? " For these folk serving may lead to bearing a grudge. A good example of this is Martha. (See Luke 10:40) Human nature frequently desires doing something that brings prominence. Do you remember the brothers who wanted Jesus to guarantee then seats of prominence with Jesus in glory? Notice Jesus response to their request by referring to serving. "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:43‭-‬45) Of course the prime example of service is our Lord, Jesus Christ, who said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:15) Let's go into the week looking for opportunities to serve. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

2022 02 20 Good morning. Isn't it great to arrive at church on Sunday and find that everything is ready. The seating us arranged, tea, coffee and rusks are ready to be served after the service. The children are taken care of in children's ministry All you need to do is come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart and give Him praise and bow before Him in worship. None of this happens by chance. It's like God says, "I've got this!" And truly He has. He has given His church girts by His Spirit. These gifts demonstrate His love. Paul says if your gift is serving, then step up to the plate and serve and if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:7-8) Service is the ability to recognize unmet needs in the church family, and to take the initiative to provide practical assistance quickly, cheerfully, and without a need for recognition. You may just want to help. At GraceCov there are plenty of opportunities to serve, - audio/visual, baking, children's ministry, creative design/decor, greeter, refreshment set up team, youth, visitation, musos/worship etc. Remember, if you're in a ministry where it is not working out (you're under stress - not enjoying it), it doesn't mean you're the wrong person - it means it is the wrong job! "There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." (1 Corinthians 12:6) Today could be your opportunity to apply your gift of service. Have a great day worshipping God as you serve. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Here's a reminder that you are really special to God. • He loves you. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3) • He gives you peace. "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) • He answers you. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3) • He will be with you. "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) • He will be your strength. "You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people." (Psalms 68:35) • He will protect you. "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." (Psalms 32:7) As we go into the day we can rest assured that "My help comes from the Lord , the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalms 121:2‭-‬3‭, ‬5‭, ‬8) Have a good weekend. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort." (1 Corinthians 14:1‭, ‬3) As Terran Williams puts it, "the fact that Paul tells us to eagerly seek it (the gift of prophecy), reveals something of God's willingness to give this gift to all of His children." In both the OT and NT prophecy is not primarily foretelling the future, but proclaiming God's will and exhorting and encouraging God's people to righteousness, faithfulness and endurance. All prophecy must be tested for genuineness and truth (1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) by asking whether it conforms to God's Word (1 John 4:1), whether it promotes Godly living (1 Timothy 6:3), and whether it ys spoken by one who is sincerely living under Christ's Lordship. (1 Corinthians 12:3). God will frequently reveal to those with the gift of prophecy, a specific word from Him, when they spend time with Him in prayer or worship - "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8). God may speak vividly or through simple impressions. Over time one comes to recognize God's way of revealing the prophetic word He places in you. It is important to ask God to reveal the correct timing to bring the word of prophecy. As we have looked at the first spiritual gift in the series "Gifted ", we trust that you have come to the Lord eagerly desiring the gift of prophecy. Have a good Friday. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort." (1 Corinthians 14:1‭, ‬3) The gift if prophecy is the ability to publicly communicate God's revelation in an inspired way directly from God under the impulse of Holy Spirit that convinces unbelievers and builds up, lifts up and cheers up followers of Christ. It is the ability to persuasively declare God's will. God may reveal His message to those with the gift of prophecy in different ways. E.g. through: • A scripture verse • A still small voice • An event • A mental picture When exercising the gift of prophecy, don't go beyond what God has given you - don't embellish. Be tactful. One of the functions of the elders in the local church is to to bring direction and correction. So should your prophetic word contain direction or correction it is advisable to be brought to the elders or at the very least be given in the presence of an elder/elders. As you exercise the gift of prophecy, prophesy in accordance with your faith. Have a wonderful day. Bkessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. A number of years ago we were involved in the Lake District in the UK in a team lead by Ian McKellar. After he had preached a stirring message titled "Does God Still Speak Today?", he called the team up front and proceeded to invite people who wanted a word from God to come and stand in front of any team member who would then have a prophetic word for them. I, Mike, had never prophesied in my life. What now? An elderly gentleman promptly came and stood in front of me. The prophetic word God gave me for him was "God has seen and knows what you are going through. God wants you to know that He has the perfect partner for you." I subsequently found out that he was not from the village where we were holding the meetings. He was from the next village down the road. Furthermore, he had recently been widowed! I had just broken one of the basics of prophecy - "No mates, no dates, no babies." Just over a year later we were in Holland for the NCMI Europe Leaders Training Time. Just before the first session began, the gent I had given the prophetic word to a year earlier, came running unto me and in his obvious excitement said he wanted to introduce his fiance to us. Wow! Isn't God amazing. We have learned over the years to rest in God's grace when it comes to using the gifts of the Spirit. He is in control and He knows what He is doing. Paul reminds us, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." (Romans 12:6) Practice resting in His grace. It is more than sufficient for you. Blessings. Mike and Daphne