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Good morning to you. It is always a delight to see people experiencing and displaying joy. But sometimes life becomes so difficult that it’s hard to find joy. These feelings can lead to despair; to think our lives have no meaning. It is even tempting to consider this life as something we just have to get through until we get to spend eternity with Jesus. But Jesus made it clear that God intended for us to do more than just exist. Matthew records Jesus teaching us not to spend our lives focused on things of lesser concern, like food and clothing. Instead, Jesus teaches us to focus on God first and to live life His way. (Matthew 6:25-34) When we seek God first, everything else falls into the right order. That is the first step to finding joy. Our hope is in God. Our faith is in God. Our joy comes from God. Have a blessed day. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. This past Sunday we saw the significance the armour of God. While all the parts are important, the “helmet of salvation” is vital in the struggle of maintaining hope in the face of adversity. The helmet protects our mind, the center for our feelings, attitudes, emotions, and choices. We need to be aware when our hope is under attack, reach for the helmet of salvation and put it on. Our salvationis in Christ. This salvation defines not only our inheritance, but also our identity. This helmet protects our wandering thoughts, bringing them back into alignment with our salvation, as we remember who we are and what He has done for us. Hope in Him keeps our faith alive as we choose to define our expectations by His character—His trustworthiness, faithfulness, and love for us. We can mourn our losses while looking forward in hope. Forward is a good place to look because Jesus is already there, waiting with new mercies and abundant grace for each new day. He is our Hope! Hope is the practice of believing God will get you from here...to there. Hope in Him moves beyond the disappointments of today and offers confident hope for the possibilities of tomorrow, because Hope is a Person. "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf" (Hebrews 6:19‭-‬20) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Our hope and faith can falter when facing and experiencing real life fears. Abraham struggled with hope while waiting for a son. That's why he was prepared to to have a son by Hagar, his wife's slave. Likewise Godeon's hope seemed to buckle when faced with his feelings. "How can I save Israel? ...I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:13) Jeremiah knew the pain and struggle of remaining in hope. In Lamentations 3 Jeremiah lays bare the struggles that confronted him when he says, "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me." (Lamentations 3:19‭-‬20) All 3 of these men are examples of overcoming their struggles by hanging on to the promise given to them by God. Their hope was in God who is true to His word. Jeremiah declares: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him" (Lamentations 3:21‭-‬25) Hang in there. "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. We trust you are well. "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) Waiting in hope during hard circumstances is very difficult. Waiting in our suffering requires patience and endurance. Both are difficult to develop. However, as we exercise our patience and endurance, the gap between our impatience and wanting to give up grows shorter and shorter. This requires allowing God space to move in our situation. And He will move, in His timing and for our good, if we continue to wait for Him. No matter what season we find ourselves in, our hope in Him is secure. Habakkuk, the prophet, puts it like this: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬19) Have a great day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Our hope in God is dependent on our faith in Him. Our faith can be stable and secure because God's character remains firm and unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and will still be the same tomorrow. Because of our faith in Him, our hope in Him is secure. Our faith in God is the backbone of our hope in Him. Faith in God activates our hope and will keep us moving forward when life falls apart. He is faithful and trustworthy. Hope in Him will never disappoint. Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." The NLT version puts it this way: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” As we go into today "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23) Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. The pandemic has over the past months has had really sad effects on many people. It has gone, in many instances, beyond just health issues. A lot of people have lost hope. Hope canbe lost if your hope is in a desired outcome or result. Paul sets the example for followers of Christ. This is what he said. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18) True hope is greater than even your worst circumstance because Hope is a Person. Our God, who is Hope, is greater than any event. He can never be taken away. "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (Hebrews 6:19) The Psalmist has this encouragement as we head into the new week. "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." (Psalm 31:24) Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Sundays, the Lord's Day, have become known as a day of rest. Mark reminds us of the words of Jesus to the disciples when they were overwhelmed with the coming and goings around them: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31) Ronnie Naidoo in a recent post reminds us of some activities to be involved in while resting today. • Recharge your strength • Recover from the exhaustion of the past week's activities • Reflect on God and His goodness towards you • Recuperate from illness/stress • Refocus for the week ahead • Remember to thank God for His hand on you and your family Have a restful Sunday. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. For the duration of the lockdown over the past 16 months we have all had time to wait on the Lord. Many of us have the same testimony as the psalmist who wrote, "I waited patiently for the Lord ; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." (Psalm 40:1-3) We have learned that we do not need to be busy for the Kingdom of God to continue to advance. Even in our time of lockdown He is at work. God desires our heart, more than our busyness. "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord ? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god." (Psalm 24:3‭-‬4) As we take time to relax this week end, make time to sing the new song He put in your mouth, a hymn of praise to God. There is so much to be thankful for. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Most of us are what we are today because of our parents. Their love and devotion gave us the start in life. When we think back over the years we will no doubt be able to remember some of the sacrifices they made for us. We have so much to be grateful for. Our Father in heaven did it all for us as well - with one major difference. The sacrifice of His son, our Lord and Saviour, sets us up for eternity. Paul puts it this way. "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!" (Romans 11:36) We have so much to be thankful for. If your parents are still alive, take time to thank them today. Pick up the phone and do it. Then take the time to thank your heavenly Father as well. Have a thankful Friday. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Pilots pay attention to attitude. My (Mike) limited understanding is that for them attitude refers to the positioning of the nose of the aeroplane during flight. From the time we wake up until we go to sleep at night, our attitude is important. David, the psalmist, sets a good example for us when he says, "I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. (Psalms 59:16) Some days it is more difficult to maintain a good attitude. Throughout scripture we are reminded that God is who He said He is, and that He will do what He said He will do. He is true to His word. Knowing this, our attitude should be one of confidence as we each face our daily challenges. Remember that Christ has won the victory. We live from a place of victory. Make up your mind to have a positive attitude today. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. Our President brought good news for Followers of Christ when he announced that church gatherings are once again allowed. This got me (Mike) thinking. (Okay, stop laughing. I do think from time to time.) With the pandemic seemingly having a devastating effect in so many areas of our lives - physical, financial, mental, emotional and dare I say it, spiritual, what should our stance be? My friend Paul writing to the Ephesians has this to say: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13) We stand in a position of victory, not defeat. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:1-3 that we face 3 enemies - the world, the flesh and the devil. But let me remind you that Christ overcame the world (John 16:38), He overcame the flesh (Romans 6:1-6) and He overcame the devil (Eph. 1:19-23) As we face the challenges of today, our starting point is victory - the victory won by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Having done all else, let's stand firm in the victory we have in Him. Blessings. Mike and Daphne

Good morning. How are you doing? Many have been affected by Covid-19, one way or another, over the past 16 months. The words of the psalmist in Psalm 143 help us articulate our cry to God as we face the challenges that the continued lockdown brings. "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord , for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." (Psalm 143:8‭-‬10) There is an important lesson to learn from the psalmist. With each request he reaffirms his trust/faith in God. His prayer is more than a list of requests. He articulates why he brings his requests to God. More than telling God why he brings these requests, he tells himself why. When we come before God today, remind ourselves why we come to God with our prayers of request. Have a good day. Blessings. Mike and Daphne