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Good morning. Ronans 12:2 has been cropping up a number of times in the past 2-3 weeks. In his message yesterday, Craig spoke to us about applying God's Word. He asked the question, "What does Jesus want to do in us? And then?" There us more to being follower of Christ than being born again. He wants to mature us and make us useful to Him. There is a process that takes place to be moved from the pattern of this world and being transformed into His pattern, His will for us. Our worldview changes as He matures us. Paul writes: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2a) As we mature in Him, our thinking is changed. Not only that, but we get to know His will for us. "Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2b) The implication of this is that application is required on our part. This week, as we open our minds to God's Word, let us actively apply it to our daily walk with Him. Have a good week. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The thoughts we fill our minds with are crucial because what we cling to influences our outlook on life. If we choose to dwell on God’s promises, we will start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. As we prepare ourselves to worship God today,reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think: God will sustain you. (Psalm 55:2) God delights over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. (Psalm 46:1) Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Life has become so busy. Our days are filled with business. We can hardly wait for bedtime when we flop into bed, exhausted. This is not a 21st century syndrome. Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Rest is so important, but for rest to have the desired effect, the source of our rest is key. Refreshing rest is more than inactivity (the absence of business). For us as followers of Christ, it is important that we find our rest, our refreshing, in Him. It has been said that if our output exceeds our input than our upkeep will be our downfall! We need to ensure regular personal input from Him through the Word and prayer. If we don't, we will become drained. We will find that like a motor vehicle, we can't run on empty. With the weekend upon us, make time in the business of life to find rest in Him. Have a good weekend. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword." (Exodus 17:11‭-‬13) By lifting his staff, Moses symbolically acknowledged God was always with them—and that He alone was in control. Like Moses, when we find ourselves in a battle we’re ill-equipped to handle, we should look at the situation and observe what’s going on around us, but not let that stop us from holding onto God’s authority and pursuing what He’s promised us. As the fight continued, Moses’ arms weakened and he could not support the Israelite army without help. That’s when his trusted friends stepped in. By holding him up, they helped Israel achieve victory. The victories achieved in uncertain seasons are rarely due to our own strength—they’re a result of holding onto God and relying on others to support us. It is the faithfulness of God that sees us through the storms of life. Whatevet situations are you facing hang on to God and allow trusted people to come alongside you. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. I, Mike, wonder what was going through Joshua's mind as he prepared to lead the Israelites into Canaan—a place overrun by their enemies. Although God promised them this land, the journey to obtain the promise was long, hard, and filled with uncertainty. As he faced the task that lay ahead God reminded Joshua: “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…” We all face uncertainty at some time in our lives. The same God who encouraged Joshua also wants to encourage us. No matter how uncertain we may feel, the outcome of every situation is known to God. And God promises to never leave or forsake those who draw near to Him. His children are never alone. And our future is held in His hands. When the future feels uncertain, we should ask God to please help us and ask Him to remind us of His promises. Ask God to fill us with courage and give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. "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) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Many people read the Bible as part of their daily routine. For some it is something they only do when they feel like it. Is it possible that in both these scenarios reading the Bible seems dry and often confusing? When we read the Bible, we should read it in such a way that it forms part of a dialogue between God and ourselves. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones had this to say about reading God's Word. "I should never read the Bible in exactly the same way that I read any other book. (...) I should always start by asking God by the Holy Spirit to enlighten me, to keep me from error and subtle dangers and to lead me into all truth. Then, having done that, I come to my Bible." It is out of our relationship with God that His Word comes to life. The writer to the Hebrews says this about God's Word: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) When we read the Word out of our relationship with God and with the desire to hear Him talk with us, then Psalm 119:105 becomes a reality. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Then we will be able to say with David: "My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled." (Psalm 17:5) Have a wonderful day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. God’s Word calls us to a “renewal” of our minds. Paul writes, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2) That means trading in our old perceptions, opinions, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes for a new set of perceptions, opinions, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes that God develops in us. The renewal of our thinking leads to a change in our speech patterns and our behaviour. As our speech and behaviour become renewed, our relationships with others become renewed. It all begins in the mind, with what we choose to think and what we choose to dwell upon. We can never fully exhaust our ability to think about the goodness and greatness of God. As followers of Christ we should respond to life the way He responded. Guard our prayer life. Guard our thought life. Seek the Father and all that’s godly. In the words of Paul, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Here we are at the start of a new week. As we go into it let us remember to focus on Jesus Christ. Last night as I, Mike, drifted off to sleep, these words were going through my head. "There is none like You No one else can touch my heart like you do And I can search for all eternity long And find, there is none like You You mercy flows like river wide And healing comes from your hands Suffering children are safe in your arms There is none like You There is none like You No one else can touch my heart like you do And I can search for all eternity long And find, there is none like You And I can search for all eternity long And find, There is none like You (Lenny Leblanc) Let's reaffirm this truth regularly in the days ahead. There is none like Jesus Christ. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Will you join us as we worship God this morning. The words of Matt Redman's song "The Heart of Worship" seems to sum up the past 18 months for us. "When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come Longin' just to bring Something that's of worth That will bless your heart I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the ways things appear You're looking into my heart I'm comin' back to the heart of worship And it's all about You It's all about You, Jesus I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it When it's all about You It's all about You, Jesus" Blessings as we worship together today Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Have you noticed that God’s perspective is often given in the form of comparison and contrast. He often contrasted the rich and the poor, the wise and foolish, darkness and light, the peace that comes from God as opposed to the peace found in this world. In a storm winds can sweep across the sea with blowing rain. Waves can rise to 5, 10, even 15 meters high. A ship can be tossed about like a toy boat. But underneath the surface, just 20 meters down, there’s no storm. All is perfectly quiet. No sound. No tumult. Not even a ripple of turmoil. This reminds us of God’s peace. It gives us an inkling of what Jesus must have been talking about when He promised His disciples His peace. Jesus promised He would not leave us on our own. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:16‭, ‬18) He is with us at all times, even in the storms of life. Remember what He said, "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) Enjoy your weekend. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Alfred Nobel was a man once defined by chaos, but transformed to be known as a bringer of peace. He now has a legacy of giving the gift of peace. Peace is a puzzling thing. You might feel like you have it one day, or you might feel far from it the next. Lockdown has brought with it a lot of stress, often showing itself in tension in the workplace and in the home. Relationships are fine the one day and strained the next. Emotions vacillate. All of this plays havoc in our relationships. Mike's friend Paul has this to say: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2‭-‬3) Let's do this as we interact with these around us. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Over the past 18 months we have had to deal with abnormal circumstances brought about by the pandemic and the lockdown regulations. During this time we have had to make adjustments to so many facets of our lives. There have been times when we have wondered how we were going to get through everything life was throwing at us. Peter tells us that actually God has it all under control. We have everything we need to remain focused on His purpose for us. "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:3‭, ‬5‭-‬8) God gives us his marvelous grace as a free gift in Christ. Then, as Peter says, we build on this grace by adding virtue to virtue. Join us as we thank God for His goodness and His grace which continues to see us through all that we face each day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne