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by Caryl Moll I’m hoping that you will experience this virtual hug today. It’s prayerfully laced in beautiful, soft words that hopefully will wash over you, inspire you and encourage you to take the next step. I stand before you, in the name of Jesus, inviting Him to speak through my writing. I pray that you will acknowledge His presence and His need to speak to you today… I move closer and ask: “Am I invited into your space, dear friend? Do you need a hug today?” Perhaps your arms will open. Then so will mine. We reach around one another in embrace. We cross our hands over our shoulders and breathe deeply; absorbing each other’s strength. For a moment a gentle warmth descends. We are one in Christ; sisters and brothers, with the Lord at the helm. We can imagine His light streaming over us and His outstretched arms – as He too is drawn into our embrace. We listen… We hear… “I love you, my children. I know that you will have trouble in this world, but take heart, I have overcome. I will never leave you, nor forsake you. You are my portion. I died for you. Give me your cross. Allow me to carry it because my burden is light. Remember child, I made you; I knit you together in your mother’s womb. I have counted every hair on your head. I know you when you wake up and when you sleep. Every step you take has been pre-ordained. Take heart child, you are fully and perfectly loved. My grace is sufficient for you. I will be with you till the end of the age. But also remember; talk to me. I am here to listen and I love you. Only one thing matters: Love me and obey my commands” We unlock our arms and step back. This has been a holy moment. Understanding rests in both our expressions. Thank you for being there for me today. With love, in Christ Caryl

by Luke KincaidI really enjoyed teaching on the fruit of kindness at the start of our online KICS lessons yesterday. What I enjoyed most about it was being reminded of the fact that the only reason we can share true kindness with others is because of the kindness God has shown us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of kindness in us, and share it with those in need, Got Questions helps us remember all the ways in which God has first shown this kindness to us, His children: Kindness is the characteristic that led God to provide salvation for us (Titus 3:4-5; Romans 2:4; 11:22).Kindness leads God to give us green pastures, quiet waters, and the restoration of our souls when we’re weary (Psalm 23:2-3). It is God’s tender care that makes Him want to gather us under His wings, to protect us and keep us close to Him (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 61:4; Matthew 23:37).God expressed kindness when He provided for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath during a drought—and He showed more kindness later when He raised the widow’s only son from the dead (1 Kings 17:8-24).When Sarah exiled Hagar and Ishmael, God gave the outcasts kindness in the form of water and hope (Genesis 21:9-21).On multiple occasions, kindness induced Jesus to stop what He was doing and help others in need (Mark 6:34; Mark 7:29; Mark 10:46-52). And kindness leads the Good Shepherd to rescue us when we stray (Luke 15:3-7). In kindness He “gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11) As we can see God has been so kind to us in so many different ways and we have the amazing privilege of sharing this kindness with the world around us. I can’t think of a single person who wouldn’t want to experience a little more kindness in their lives and it’s incredible to think that people can experience God’s kindness through us. And when experienced, kindness has the ability to multiply itself as genuine kindness is contagious. So one act of kindness can actually impact many people’s lives! So let’s ask The Holy Spirit to lead us to people this week who are in need of God’s kindness and let’s go and change some lives through God’s power!Much love,Luke

by Calven CelliersSpring is without a doubt my favourite time of the year, and I have so enjoyed focusing on little lessons out of the garden for my blog posts this month. As I wonder around the garden, one of my all-time favourite shrubs is the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” (Brunfelsia pauciflora). This magnificent addition to any garden, especially at this time of year, has a mass of sweet-scented flowers that change colour day by day. They begin as purple, fading to pale lavender, and then to white. You’ve no doubt heard it said that ‘the only constant is change’, that everything flows and nothing stands still. Seasons change. People age. Civilizations rise and fall. Is there anything truly consistent? Is there any firm truth we can hold on to in a world that is always shifting? Many, if not all of us, are facing a lot of uncertainty right now, and as I stood before the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” shrub, admiring the wonder before me, inhaling its pleasing aroma, I was once again reminded of the wonderful truth that is ours as God’s children. Yes! God is constant; constant in an ever-changing world.  He Himself tells us that He does not change:“6 I the Lord do not change…” (Malachi 3:6NIV)God will always do what He says He will do. Time does not affect God. He is still the same holy, amazing, kind God He was when He created the world. No matter how uncertain your life looks right now, you can trust in God’s constant love and faithfulness. He has always been here and what’s more He always will be! At a time in world history where nothing seems the same and many of us are contemplating if anything will ever be the same again, I want for us to be reminded of the following verse, because it shows the immutability of Christ!“8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8NLT)In the original text the word used for “same” means that Jesus is unchangeable! What good news this is in a world where things are changing at lightning speed. Jesus is the one Person we can depend on. We don’t need to refigure who Jesus is, what He thinks, or what His message is, because He is the same — and everything He represents is the same — yesterday, today, and forever!I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful that with all the sweeping changes happening in the world right now, Jesus isn’t one of them! Whoever He was in the past is who He is in the present and who He will be forever!In light of this wonderful truth, I want to encourage you to dig deep into the Word — particularly the four gospels where Jesus is so vividly portrayed. What Jesus said and did in the four gospels is exactly what He is saying and doing now, and the reality is that if you come to know the Jesus on those pages, you will come to know and experience the Jesus…