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Good morning to you. We trust that you are well and are living a better than normal life. For us to continue to enjoy a better than nornal life we need to follow Paul's advice to the church in Philippi. "Only let us live up to what we have already attained." (Philippians 3:16‭) The Amplified Version puts it this way: "Only let us stay true to what we have already attained." How? By continuing to live according to God's ways. Paul continues, "Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do." (Philippians 3:17) Paul here stresses the importance of having a mentor as well as the examples of fellow believers who live according to God's ways. Fellowship is key to being exposed to other believers who live according to God's ways. Join us as we endeavor to stay true to what we have already attained. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. As followers of Christ we can live better than what society defines as normal. For this to become real for us, we need to do what the writer to the Hebrews says: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…" (Hebrews 12:2) We so easily become distracted and take our eyes off the ball. We find ourselves constantly distracted. Jesus puts it this way in the parable of the Sower. "The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Matthew 13:22) Notwithstanding that Jesus is the way, the life and the truth, we tend to taking things into our own hands. By doing this we slip from "better than normal" back into normal. As we fix our attention on the Lord, He can work in our lives and, as He works in our lives, He takes us from strength to strength. Today, we focus on Author and Perfecter of our faith who leads us into living better than normal. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "When will things go back to normal?" "Well, I guess this is our new normal." Is this familiar? Normal can be defined as behavior that is typical, expected, and adjusts to a standard that society has put in place. What’s so appealing about normal? When we know what to expect, we become comfortable. But, comfort doesn’t always equate to health. So, what if we pursued a life that is better than normal? As followers of Christ, we’re called to live differently. The world tells us to follow our hearts, but we know that our hearts can be deceitful. The world says to have the perfect body, but we know that godliness should be our goal. The world tells us to put ourselves first, but we know that living a life where we give to others is more rewarding and kind. Everyday we face situations that require us to live better than normal - work, money, relationships etc. As followers of Christ, we can be leading the way in living better than normal, living victoriously despite the world's norms and expectations. John reminds us, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Live better than normal today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. What an amazing meeting we had onsite (145 Glover Ave) yesterday as we met to worship our King. The time of praise and worship set the tone for us. Once again we experienced Holy Spirit moving. Wawa Jafta, one of the elders at GraceCov, brought the message that brought out 4 key truths contained in Scripture. • We have been separated from God by our sin • We are sought by God - He initiates this • We are Saved by God - accepted by Him because of Jesus • We are treated as sons by God. Sons eat at the Kings table Read the account of David and Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9:1-13 to see these truths so well illustrated. We can face the week ahead of us knowing we are children of the most high God. He will take care of us and provide for us. Have a good week. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:11‭-‬13) Today we once again have the opportunity to worship our Sovereing King. Robert Grant penned a wonderful hymn which helps us to do just that. "O worship the King, all glorious above O gratefully sing HIs wonderful love Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days Paviolioned in splendor, and girded with praise" "O measureless might, ineffable love While angels delight to worship above Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend" May you be filled with His peace as you worship the triune God today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be (Chorus) 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 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love (Chorus) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside 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 (Thomas O. Chisholm 1866-1960) "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) Have a good weekend. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning to you. It's Friday morning and most of us are looking forward to the weekend, to a time of rest and relaxation. For some, however, it will be filled with doing repairs and maintenance around the home. No matter what you will be doing, you will have the opportunity to overflow with the Lord’s goodness. Paul pens our prayer for rach one of you when he writes: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. What an amazing time we had at Grace United yesterday evening. God's heart for our community and the nations was evident. It was all about God; who He is and His purpose for us. Who is Jesus Christ to you? The writer to the Hebrews wrote, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3) Paul has this to say, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible ... And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." (Colossians 1:15‭-16,18) Don Moen in one of his songs says this about Jesus: "You are my love and my light You are my purpose for living You are my hope in the night My reason for singing You bring the joy to my life And You're making it better and better And I will give thanks forever and ever" Who is Jesus Christ to you? Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Friends are important to each one of us. It is true that we are created for community. However, within community we all have the desire/need for special friends. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬10) Within friendship we develop accountability in all areas of our lives. Accountability isn’t only to deal with heart issues but also invaluable when we are making big decisions, need help with time management, our marriages and parenting as well as your spiritual health and relationship with God. Accountability provides an opportunity to learn, grow and problem-solve, also to take responsibility for our own actions. Do you have friends that you can use as a sounding board? Mike's friend, Paul, sees the importance and significance of friendship when he says, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) Let's take time to thank the Lord for our friends. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. In observing the run-up to yesterday's local government elections it has been interesting observe how the various political parties have gone about their election campaigns. By and large they have applied the same strategies. Listening to the rhetoric of how poorly the different political parties have performed since the last elections, reminds us of the parable of "The Speck and The Plank" Matthew records for us in chapter 7:1-5. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Before we readily condemn the politicians, let us first look at ourselves. Do we need to remove the plank from our own eye? Human nature somehow is good at passing the blame to someone else. Like so much of Christ's teachings this parable is counter culture. It requires a concerted effort on our part to apply it in our lives. Together we can encourage each other as we go about applying His Word. Let's do it. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The first parables of Jesus recorded by Matthew are found in Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus tells His listeners that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Today as South Africa goes to the polls in the local government elections, we have the opportunity to be salt and light. Use the time as you stand in the queue to bring flavour to those around you by being positive and encouraging. Be the light to the world by letting the light of Jesus Christ shine through you, reflecting His love, grace and peace. "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1‭-‬2) Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The word Sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning rest. The Sabbath day commemorated God's day of rest after He finished the Creation. It is interesting that we find rest in God's presence. "The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” (Exodus 33:14) God's presence also causes us to worship Him. Is it not interesting that we feel energized after worshipping in His presence? On this Lord’s day, take time to rest in His presence as you worship Him. 'And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you "' (Exodus 33:19) Blessings. Mike and Daphne