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by Luke KincaidThere have been a few days when the reality of the pandemic has really gotten to me. When I sit down and contemplate the amount of loss and fear of loss people have had to go through it can be quite overwhelming to comprehend. Two areas that have stood out to me is the fear of losing one’s life as well as the threat to others livelihoods as some have had major financial setbacks over this period. The other day while researching sermon ideas I came across this text in Peter that I think can bring a lot of comfort to us in the midst of this pandemic: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls    – 1 Peter 1:3-9While I haven’t had enough time to truly grasp the truths contained in this text, what stood out to me the most was the reminder of the fact that disciples of Jesus will one day resurrect after passing away to the new life we have had a taste of in the present. Death is not the end for a child of God as we have a living hope in Jesus and this is something which I think we need to hear today. Another point that stands out to me is that we can lose everything while on planet earth but our inheritance as children of God is kept safe for us in heaven. While we may very well face hardships while on earth, we will one day receive an inheritance of the greatest worth upon arriving in heaven because of our faith in Jesus and everything that He accomplished for us. Much love,Luke

Guest Postby Dave GriffithsThe world is in crises. Never have we experienced problems of this magnitude. Thousands of lives are now being lost on a daily basis across the planet, and even the most brilliant of men have no answers, as coronaviris cannot be seen, felt, or heard, but it’s effect is devastating.The Bible is God’s Word in written form, and Christians  believe it contains the divine answers to the deepest needs of humanity. It sheds a unique light on our path in a dark world, and it sets forth the way to our eternal being.God said everything He made was good, very good, so why now a virus that certainly doesn’t “look” good? It might help to go back to basics, to the beginning. There is something refreshing and optimistic about begin, start, commence. Genesis means beginnings and it unfolds the record of the beginning of the world, human history. It’s the story of God’s purpose and plan for His creation. It reveals the person and nature of God as Creator, Sustainer, Judge and Redeemer. It clearly spells out the consequences of sin, as well as assurance of salvation and forgiveness. A wonderful relationship for each and every one of us.We are made in God’s image, that is, we are blessed with the characteristics of love, but, it didn’t take long for mankind to create havoc and bring sin into the world.Genesis tells us that fellowship with God was broken, evil and destruction entered the world. God was not pleased with His creation of man, so eventually a small family led by Noah, the only godly person, was left on the planet. Everything changed. Everything. God went back to a new beginning.Because God’s great plan includes salvation, there is hope! No matter how dark the world situation seems right now.  God makes promises to help and protect mankind. He promises to love us, accept us, and forgive us.We, on the other hand, are commanded to believe Him and follow Him, and place our complete faith and trust in Him.It is apparent, that today things have “gotten worse”. We have polluted the world, created weapons of mass destruction, and forgotten God. He promised not to flood the world again, but, there is no promise not to create a virus!God our Father, is now waiting for us, in particular our world leaders, to humble themselves and pray. To seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Until we do this, He will not forgive our sin and heal our world. Dave 

by Calven CelliersHave you ever felt like God is mad at you? Have you ever thought this is it, after what I have just done there is no way God will ever forgive me? Have you made promise after promise to do better? Have you told God this is the last time I’m doing this only to fall back into the same sin you vowed you would never commit again? If this is you, then welcome to the club. As crazy as it sounds your situation is not unique, there are many of us in this ‘club’ who have felt this way too, because we fall into temptation and failure somewhere along the way.I’m not exactly an early bird, in fact I very seldom see the dawning of a new day. But every now and then, especially when I’m down at the coast, I make a concerted effort to get up early and watch the sunrise. In March I was truly blessed to go and spend 3 days at the most beautiful beachfront B&B in Salt Rock on the Kwazulu Natal North Coast. Each morning I would get up early, literally before the crack of dawn, make myself a cup of coffee and then go out onto the balcony of my room and watch the sun come up over the sea. It was glorious to say the least.One morning, as I was watching the sunrise, I identified so with King David in what must surely be his most famous confession – Psalm 51 –  where he says to the Lord “for I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” and I sensed the Holy Spirit reaching out to me in my despair and  nudging me to read Lamentations 3. Not only did I sense Him telling me to read Lamentations 3, I sensed Him saying I should stand up and declare it out loud. So that’s what I did. As I watched the sun rising up over the horizon I declared“20 I will never forget this awful time,    as I grieve over my loss.21 Yet I still dare to hope    when I remember this:22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends![b]    His mercies never cease.23 Great is his faithfulness;    his mercies begin afresh each morning.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;    therefore, I will hope in him!”25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him,    to those who search for him.26 So it is good to wait quietly    for salvation from the Lord.” (Lamentations 3: 20 – 25NLT)In every sunrise there is something that you should remember. God has a new supply of love and mercy ready to shower on you. In the dawning of each new day God has a fresh reservoir of love ready to pour out on you. Think of it like this. New day, new love. New day, new grace. New day, new mercy. New day, new faithfulness. It never runs out. Every new day is another opportunity for God to show you again and again how much He truly loves you. Notice it didn’t say God’s anger is…