The Bible says that God breathed the breath of life into man. Every human being
regardless of colour, race and background is created by God and that makes every life
sacred. This passage from Genesis came to my mind as I have been thinking and
praying for the United States, watching as people have been protesting against police
brutality, systemic injustice and racism.

Amongst the sorrow experienced with the world wide pandemic, there has also been a calm of sorts. Plans are simplified. Parents have risen to new level. And prayer has been more purposeful

Before there was ever a Romeo and Juliet, a Cleopatra and Mark Antony, or a Pocahontas and John Smith, there was Boaz and Ruth. This tender, romantic story stands as one of the oldest and most beautiful illustrations of what true love is. But through the romance, poetry and fairytale ending, one truth rings true above all; even in the darkest hours of our life, God is still at work.

Mother’s Day in 2020 will undoubtedly be celebrated a little differently than it has before given the precautions over social gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That being the case, the opportunity to honour mothers is still valid, perhaps more so now than ever before. From the working mom that now has to add homeschooling to the fold, to the grandmother in a care home deprived of family visits, the sense of isolation for each can be equally damaging.

As each of us have faced significant risks, challenges and uncertainties during this coronavirus pandemic, it’s possible that the biggest impact of this season affecting the greatest number of people may be the toll that COVID-19 has taken on our collective mental health.

“It’ll all work out”, people often say, or “it’s all for the best”, or “everything happens for a reason”. While all these sayings may be true or have some truth in them, I’m sure we have asked ourselves one time or another, how can I know that for sure? The reality is, we can’t, but we know the One who knows all things, and we know we can trust in Him.

We are to physically distance ourselves, yet paradoxically, right now we need each other more than ever. In this extraordinary time, we must continually encourage, pray, and care for each other.

In the Garden of Gethsemane and at the cross, Jesus himself experienced apparent loneliness and abandonment from God, which can be described as his darkest hour. In the midst of chaos, and facing pain, Jesus knew that in all these things God was in control.

God’s voice is always comforting and soothing to the soul of His followers. It expels fear and brings faith. The Words of Christ are spirit and they are life to all who receive them (John 6:63). When God’s people hear His voice, they will follow Him. He gives them eternal life; they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of His hand (John 10:27-28).

Be still and know that I am God”. He knows what is happening, He knows what’s around the next corner. We must learn to trust him more, worry less and rush less. God is our refuge.

In the book of Psalms, David states he would have despaired or lost hope, had he not known that despite what he heard and saw happening, God would show His goodness to him. In times of trouble it may look like there is little hope, but wait on the Lord and He will give your courage and strength.

Jesus is our Ark, and when the floodwaters come we can be assured that even though we feel the wind of fear and circumstances toss us around, Jesus will always bring us to shore, where our feet will once again be planted on solid ground.

God takes the parts of our lives that are broken, battered and beaten, and revives them in remarkable fashion. Isaiah 43:18 says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Receive your fresh start today.

Cain and Abel are recognized as history’s first ever children born to Adam and Eve. Their sibling rivalry had got the better of them to the point where Cain would do the unthinkable. Rather than having his back, Cain had become so filled with envy and rage toward his brother Abel that he attacked and killed him in a field.

As with our walk with God, King Solomon encourages us in Proverbs 3:5 to trust in the Lord, not with all our mind, but with all our heart, which requires faith. Pastor Dave explained the word faith for us in the sermon this past weekend entitled, “A Hope to Have Enough”; faith is following God’s instruction without an explanation. The reason why we can do this with confidence, though not always easy, is because we know who God is – a loving Father.

Share on facebook Share on google Share on twitter Share on linkedin Where does confidence come from? Are you born with it? Do we have to fake it until we make it? I remember the first time I sang in front of people, I was 18 years old at a …

It does not get better than this! Becoming all that God wants us to be – whole and holy – is not a work we can muster up ourselves, but of the Holy Spirit. He is committed to empower and renovate us in spirit, soul, and body, progressively!