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1 John 4:7-19 God is love. Whoever lives in love in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16. "God is love ", John wrote, repeatedly, perhaps because the truth that God's love is the foundation of reality, amid the deception and power struggles. God's love remains a light that shines in the darkness, inviting us to learn the way through humility, trust and love.

‘Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant.’ Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT Author Betty Mahalik says in this day and age we’re surrounded by messages that scream, ‘My life would be perfect if only I’d a different job…house…car…nose…spouse…bank account (you fill in the blank). Or if I could be like some celebrity whose life appears well ordered and perfect. Well this week I stopped playing “my life would be perfect if,” and started playing “my perfect life”. What’s the difference? Three things: 1) Being in the present; 2) An attitude of gratitude; 3) Taking action with what’s available now…When we’re caught up in the “my life would be perfect if” trap, we lose touch with the present and can no longer practise gratitude. Think about it: it’s difficult to be grateful for what you don’t have…and what you don’t have is always somewhere in “future-ville”. Look around you…do you have a roof over your head and food to eat? A few good friends or close relationships? Then appreciate them…You’re p...

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 FAR MORE EXCEEDING: There are times when life comes at us like a flood – a difficulty, opposition, a great loss. You cannot choose when or where the flood comes from. That’s in God’s hands. We may not understand it, but God said His plans for us are for good to give us a bright future. That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen along the way, but God knows how to use them for good. He wouldn’t allow it if it wasn’t going to work to our advantage. Remember that what you’re going through is temporary, but what it works in you will bless you forever. If you could see where God is going to take you – the favour, the influence, the abundance, the health, the friends – you would realize there is a purpose for every challenge. When you don’t understand the purpose, you have to say, “God, I don’t see what You’re doing, but I trust You. I know Your ways ar...

Proverbs 4:7 "... get wisdom. Though it cost all you have,...." Wisdom begins with a profound reverence to God. Out of that grows our understanding of sin and our need for a Saviour. Wisdom seeks to understand God's ways. Thus, wisdom is the greatest priority.

Job 12:13-25 "To God belong wisdom and power, counsel and understanding are his. " Job 12:13 We won't always understand why we are going through trials. This was certainly the case for Job, who faced horrendous and unexplainable suffering and loss. Yet despite his many questions, in Job 12 he declares that God is mighty : "what he tears down cannot be rebuilt " and "to him belong strength and insight ". We may not understand why God allows certain struggles in our lives, but we can put our trust in Him. The Lord loves us.

John 14:16-17 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. " John 14:27. Jesus promised this to the followers after the "last supper. " He reminded them that although they would face trouble in this world, the Father would send the Spirit of truth to live with them, and be in them. Although as God's children, we face hardships in the world, we're comforted that the Holy Spirit lives within us and flowing out of us.

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Through prayer God prepares us for the encounter and our prayer is a part of His providential care. Even in the most mundane moments,God directs our paths and keeps us in His mercy, strength and love.

Revelation 21:1-5 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. " Revelation 21:4. John describes in Revelation 21 a beautiful victory scene, where God makes His home with His people, and wipes "every tear from their eyes " in a place with "no more death or mourning or crying or pain, " We can surely cling to this promise, in our troubled time.

Matthew 8:17 "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah : 'He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases'. " Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. When Christ died, He bore our sins in his body on the cross. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, who died to give us life.

Acts 2:1-12 "When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. " Acts 2:6. When the Holy Spirit came upon the first Christians at Pentecost, He enabled them to praise God in their own language. Through this, everyone heard the same message, no matter their nationality or language. God is breaking down barriers to form a new humanity.

Psalm 103:13-18 "As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field. " Psalm 103:15. While praising God, David reminds how quickly the joyful moments of our lives pass away, "the wind blows over it and it is gone. " In contrast, David further assures us, "from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him. "

"A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. " Proverbs 11:25. When we are generous with others, we're likely to experience generosity. But we shouldn't give, expecting something in return. But when we're generous, God is pleased, and often finds a way to refresh us.

At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose. We know that God responds to the praises of His people. When He moves, chains fall apart.

Romans 5: 10 In Christ there is no east or west, but one fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth. Racial and political tensions are nothing new. But Church is never to feed divisiveness. We should not attack those unlike us or those who hold different opinion or even those who seek our destruction. Ours is the ministry of reconciliation.

John 6:47-59 "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. " John 6:51. In the gospel of John, Jesus reminds His listeners that when their ancestors wandered hungry in the wilderness, God provided quail and bread. That food satisfied them for a time. But Jesus promises us that those who accept Him as the "bread of life", will "live forever. "

Matthew 5:9, 13-16 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God". Matthew 5:9. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. To make peace is to bring harmony, and to become the "salt of the earth", and the "light of the world."

Ephesians 2:4-10 " ...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. Paul wrote to the Ephesians of their purpose in this world, describing them as "God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. " Paul goes on to say that God's "handiwork" of creating us would result in our "handiwork" of creating good works for His glory in our world.

Colossians 3:12-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Colossians 3:15 In these verses, Paul was writing to a church he'd never visited but had heard about from his friend Epaphras. He was concerned that as they encountered false teaching, they were losing the peace of Christ. But instead of admonishing them, Paul encouraged them to trust Jesus, who would give them assurance and hope. We all will encounter times when we can choose to embrace or refuse the rule of Christ's peace in our hearts. As we turn to Him, asking Jesus to dwell in us, He will gently release us from the anxiety and cares that weigh us down. As we seek His peace, we trust that He will meet us with His love.

Mathew 14:23-33 "But Jesus immediately said to them : Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid. " Mathew 14:27. One night, Peter and the other disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a strong storm arose. All of a sudden, Jesus showed up walking on water! This took the disciples by surprise. He reassured them - "Take courage ! It is I. Don't be afraid. " Peter impulsively asked Jesus if he could join Him, and stepped out of the boat, and walked towards Jesus. But he soon lost focus, became aware of the dangerous and humanly impossible circumstances he was in, and started sinking. He cried out, "Lord, save me! ", and Jesus rescued him. Like Peter, we can learn that Jesus is with us, even in the storms of life.

Numbers 13:30. 14:9 "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. " Numbers 13:30. Caleb and Joshua said, "... the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them. " Unbelief never lets us go beyond the difficulties. It engages us with human resources. Faith, on the other hand, though never minimizes the dangers and difficulties of any situation, looks away from them to God, and counts on His invisible presence and power.