They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. 2 Samuel 22:19-20
Roll back the curtain of memory now and thenShow me where you brought me from and where I could have beenJust remember I’m a human and humans forgetSo remind me, remind me dear Lord.
This song may best describe this Psalm of praise by David in 2 Samuel 22. The Psalm appears almost as David’s final words. Thus, it is a summary thanksgiving for God’s many deliverances of David throughout his long life. This song is the same as Psalm 18, with minor variations. David looks back on his entire life with tremendous gratitude and sings this song. It is a summary of David’s whole character and attitude through life. Morgan shares that David possesses a strong conviction of the absolute sovereignty of Jehovah, of God’s omnipotent power to deliver, of the necessity for obedience to His law, and of assurance that in the case of such obedience God ever acts for His people. This constituted the underlying strength of David’s character.
David piles title upon title in praising God – such as rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, stronghold, refuge, Saviour. God’s work for David was so big and comprehensive that it could not be contained in one title. This reveals that that which David sings is more than theory, it is personal experience. God delivered David from so much, for example Goliath, Saul, Israel’s enemies, Absalom, and even his own sinful passions. We would do well to recognize that God takes us through some stuff so that the words from scripture may come alive, and the songs we sing become more meaningful.
David recalls how danger surrounded him on every side – physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially. He was on the brink of ruin when he cried out to God. The enemy of our soul wants us to believe that we cannot call upon the Lord in our distress – as if we had to be right with God and sitting peacefully in a prayer chapel to pray rightly. David knew that God hears our distress signals. Impressively, David magnificently describes God rising from his throne in heaven in response to his servant’s cry, parting the clouds, and descending to fight the king’s battles accompanied by earthquakes, thunder, storms and lightning. David pictures the Lord coming to meet his need, coming with glory and speed. He came so fast to David that it seemed that God travelled upon the wings of the wind. What a God to our rescue!!!
The Psalmist possesses confidence in the love of God. Such love God has for us that he won’t tolerate the distress of His beloved. David knew that all the victory was due to God’s hand, not due to his own ingenuity or ability. Without the Lord for support David knew he would fall. He had a sense of God’s delight in him. His plea for deliverance was rooted in relationship, not merely in a desire to survive. What do we see when we look back on our lives? What do we recall as we roll back the curtains? Who do we see? I trust that we see a loving God who journeys right alongside us, leading, guiding, correcting, protecting, delivering, providing, supporting, strengthening, enabling and empowering us. And may we never fail to give to God all the praise and glory that He so rightly deserves.
Jermaine Gibson 

Friday Reflection – April 30, 2021
The Gospel of Peace
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)Acts 10:36 KJV 
*Background*
Jesus did not come into the world, for some, but for all men: Jews , Gentiles and all nations. It was foretold through the prophet Isaiah ( 9:6-7) and again in Acts chapter 10, we hear Peter proclaiming this same Gospel of peace ( Jesus is Lord of all).
*Application*
 Jesus Christ, by whom peace is made between God and man, is Lord of all. *There are 3 things we should note about this Gospel of peace:*
1.  The Gospel of peace through Jesus Christ advocates for right standing not just with God, but also peace among men ( all nations).
2. The Gospel of peace is the extended grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to ALL people. Not Just ‘Christians’, but to all those who seek a relationship with him. 
3. The Gospel of peace is everlasting. There is no end to this peace that is offered through Jesus Christ. 
*Pronouncement*
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. May you be able to stand before God and man as one who is overshadowed by the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May your mouth speak only the things that will facilitate peace and love. May you never forget or discredit the peace which Jesus offers to all people. Let peace everlasting guide you in the way you are to go. 
Until next week, let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.
Many Blessings,Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

Thursday Reflection – April 29, 2021Jesus our Advocate

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 NRSV
Good night friends,
We have breaking news. We now go to court in session.
Bailiff: Please rise. The Court of the Heavenly Kingdom, is now in session, the Honorable Judge the Lord God Almighty presiding. 
God: Everyone may be seated.God: Let me remind you that this is a bench trial where I am judge and jury. 
God: Bailiff what is today’s case? 
Bailiff: Your Honour, today’s case is The Kingdom of Heaven versus the person reading or listening this reflection.   
God: Is the prosecution ready? 
Satan: Yes, Your Honour.  
God: Is the defense ready? Jesus: Yes, Your Honor.  
God: Satan can you give us your opening statement. 
Satan: God today I will prove that the person reading this message has sinned against you and is deserving of death. This person has sinned against you not once, not twice but countless times. We know what the scripture says, “For the wages of sin is death” and this sinner before you deserves to die. How can a just God be associated with such a sinful person. 
In 1 John chapter 1 Saint John says that those who have fellowship with him and live in darkness lie and do not have the truth in them. The person reading this has sinned and therefore the truth is not within them, hence they are deserving of death. That is all your honour. Thank you. 
God: Jesus your opening statement. How does your client plead? 
Jesus: My client pleads guilty your honour. Indeed the person reading this has sinned. There is no doubt about that. Indeed the punishment for sin is death. But I want to highlight that my client does not make sinning  a habit as Satan puts it.  If Satan had continued reading into chapter 2 of said 1 John he would have realised that whilst we do not want anyone to sin, however  IF by some moment of weakness they do sin, the person who sins has an advocate in Jesus. 
Your honour Satan is trying to create the picture that this person is deserving of death, but must I remind Satan as advocate I’ve already paid the price for this person’s sin.  Therefore, the sin of the person reading and listening to this reflection is not held against them once they have accepted me in their heart and sincerely confess their sin. 
God: I’ve listened to both arguments and I have decided to dismiss the case against the person reading this Reflection. Once they accepted my son Jesus and confessed their sins, they are free to go. Case dismissed. Court adjourned. 
Friends we have an advocate who makes Intercession for us when we sin. This does not mean we continue sinning because of our advocate but in the event that we do Jesus is there for us. 
Shalom
Christopher Euphfa

Wednesday Reflection, April 28, 2021
A Considerate Father
Brothers and sisters, I greet you well. Have you ever done a favor for someone or shown them kindness yet they appear oblivious to all you do. There may be some who might argue that you don’t do enough and keep expecting or demanding more.
What of Parents who have ungrateful children yet they remain patient with them. They still love them and provide for them.
In Hosea 11, the Lord God spoke through the prophet, as if experiencing a state of nostalgia, He recalled when Israel was a young nation and how He loved, protected, provided for and rescued them from those who sought to oppress and enslave them in Egypt. Even into adulthood, they were still being protected and provided for. In today’s watchword, Hosea 11:3 Jehovah says, ‘I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.’
Freedom and grace were given to the people yet they kept returning to the familiarity of sin. The Lord was always with them, accessible to them and watching over them; still they sought to bow down to the gods of their oppressors or that they acquired along the way whilst ignoring the God who was able to save and to keep and sanctify them.
Brothers and sisters, how different are we today? What of our thoughts? What of the tendency we have to ignore all that we have been blessed with in pursuit of more? What of the lies we believe? What of those lies we tell and the lies we live?
The Lord made it known that the very same people He loved, called and claimed as His were determined to turn away/ to backslide although they referred to Him as Most High God. Friends, who are you calling God today? Are your lips sweet as honey calling Him? What of your heart? What of your actions?
No matter where or who you are today, the Lord loves you with an unwavering love. Disobedience might have taken you down the wrong path but we are further encouraged by our brother Peter who wrote in 2 Peter 3:15 ‘bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.
As we consider how we react to how others treat us, may we also consider how we treat others but more importantly how God treats us. And worship him accordingly.
Until next week, be confident in our Father’s unfailing love and remember that it is through God’s patience with that we receive salvation.
Amen
Kerone Lamoth

Friday Reflection – April 30, 2021
The Gospel of Peace

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)Acts 10:36 KJV 
*Background*
Jesus did not come into the world, for some, but for all men: Jews , Gentiles and all nations. It was foretold through the prophet Isaiah ( 9:6-7) and again in Acts chapter 10, we hear Peter proclaiming this same Gospel of peace ( Jesus is Lord of all).
*Application*
 Jesus Christ, by whom peace is made between God and man, is Lord of all. *There are 3 things we should note about this Gospel of peace:*
1.  The Gospel of peace through Jesus Christ advocates for right standing not just with God, but also peace among men ( all nations).
2. The Gospel of peace is the extended grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to ALL people. Not Just ‘Christians’, but to all those who seek a relationship with him. 
3. The Gospel of peace is everlasting. There is no end to this peace that is offered through Jesus Christ. 
*Pronouncement*
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. May you be able to stand before God and man as one who is overshadowed by the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May your mouth speak only the things that will facilitate peace and love. May you never forget or discredit the peace which Jesus offers to all people. Let peace everlasting guide you in the way you are to go. 
Until next week, let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.
Many Blessings,Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

Thursday Reflection – April 29, 2021Jesus our Advocate

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 NRSV
Good night friends,
We have breaking news. We now go to court in session.
Bailiff: Please rise. The Court of the Heavenly Kingdom, is now in session, the Honorable Judge the Lord God Almighty presiding. 
God: Everyone may be seated.God: Let me remind you that this is a bench trial where I am judge and jury. 
God: Bailiff what is today’s case? 
Bailiff: Your Honour, today’s case is The Kingdom of Heaven versus the person reading or listening this reflection.   
God: Is the prosecution ready? 
Satan: Yes, Your Honour.  
God: Is the defense ready? Jesus: Yes, Your Honor.  
God: Satan can you give us your opening statement. 
Satan: God today I will prove that the person reading this message has sinned against you and is deserving of death. This person has sinned against you not once, not twice but countless times. We know what the scripture says, “For the wages of sin is death” and this sinner before you deserves to die. How can a just God be associated with such a sinful person. 
In 1 John chapter 1 Saint John says that those who have fellowship with him and live in darkness lie and do not have the truth in them. The person reading this has sinned and therefore the truth is not within them, hence they are deserving of death. That is all your honour. Thank you. 
God: Jesus your opening statement. How does your client plead? 
Jesus: My client pleads guilty your honour. Indeed the person reading this has sinned. There is no doubt about that. Indeed the punishment for sin is death. But I want to highlight that my client does not make sinning  a habit as Satan puts it.  If Satan had continued reading into chapter 2 of said 1 John he would have realised that whilst we do not want anyone to sin, however  IF by some moment of weakness they do sin, the person who sins has an advocate in Jesus. 
Your honour Satan is trying to create the picture that this person is deserving of death, but must I remind Satan as advocate I’ve already paid the price for this person’s sin.  Therefore, the sin of the person reading and listening to this reflection is not held against them once they have accepted me in their heart and sincerely confess their sin. 
God: I’ve listened to both arguments and I have decided to dismiss the case against the person reading this Reflection. Once they accepted my son Jesus and confessed their sins, they are free to go. Case dismissed. Court adjourned. 
Friends we have an advocate who makes Intercession for us when we sin. This does not mean we continue sinning because of our advocate but in the event that we do Jesus is there for us. 
Shalom
Christopher Euphfa

Wednesday Reflection, April 28, 2021
A Considerate Father
Brothers and sisters, I greet you well. Have you ever done a favor for someone or shown them kindness yet they appear oblivious to all you do. There may be some who might argue that you don’t do enough and keep expecting or demanding more.
What of Parents who have ungrateful children yet they remain patient with them. They still love them and provide for them.
In Hosea 11, the Lord God spoke through the prophet, as if experiencing a state of nostalgia, He recalled when Israel was a young nation and how He loved, protected, provided for and rescued them from those who sought to oppress and enslave them in Egypt. Even into adulthood, they were still being protected and provided for. In today’s watchword, Hosea 11:3 Jehovah says, ‘I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.’
Freedom and grace were given to the people yet they kept returning to the familiarity of sin. The Lord was always with them, accessible to them and watching over them; still they sought to bow down to the gods of their oppressors or that they acquired along the way whilst ignoring the God who was able to save and to keep and sanctify them.
Brothers and sisters, how different are we today? What of our thoughts? What of the tendency we have to ignore all that we have been blessed with in pursuit of more? What of the lies we believe? What of those lies we tell and the lies we live?
The Lord made it known that the very same people He loved, called and claimed as His were determined to turn away/ to backslide although they referred to Him as Most High God. Friends, who are you calling God today? Are your lips sweet as honey calling Him? What of your heart? What of your actions?
No matter where or who you are today, the Lord loves you with an unwavering love. Disobedience might have taken you down the wrong path but we are further encouraged by our brother Peter who wrote in 2 Peter 3:15 ‘bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.
As we consider how we react to how others treat us, may we also consider how we treat others but more importantly how God treats us. And worship him accordingly.
Until next week, be confident in our Father’s unfailing love and remember that it is through God’s patience with that we receive salvation.
Amen
Kerone Lamoth

Monday Reflection – April 26, 2021The Power of Light
It shall be one day which is known to the Lord – neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light. Zechariah 14:7
We all walk around with varying degrees of fear for one thing or another. For some, the fear of failure; for some, criticisms; for some, the loss of a loved one; many fear death, and the list goes on. While some of our fears are mild, others have become phobias, which is an excessive level of fear that impacts one’s day to day life. One such phobia is nyctophobia, which is an extreme fear of night or darkness that can cause intense symptoms of anxiety and depression. While fear of the dark is normal for children, it can escalate to a phobia. Such fear exists mainly because of the lack of any visual stimuli, where we are not able to see what is around us.
While night and darkness are a part of our current reality, the prophet Zechariah speaks of a time when darkness will fade and only God’s light will be experienced. In the context of Zechariah 14, the Prophet speaks of a time when Jerusalem will be surrounded and attacked by some type of international force. This attack will be severe, but the city itself will not be overthrown, for the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. In the midst of all this, Zechariah prophesizes of the intervention of the Messiah as He fights for His people. The Messiah will manifest His power by delivering His people and punishing their enemies.
The Messiah will establish His Kingdom which will result in significant changes. These are:

1.      There shall be continuous day, not day and not night, for at evening time there shall be light.

2.      Living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, in summer as in winter.

3.      The Lord will become king over all the earth.

4.      The whole land shall be turned into a plain; Jerusalem shall remain aloft on its site and it shall be safely inhabited.Zechariah looked forward to the glory of Jerusalem in the Messiah’s kingdom. The lights that guide their lives will diminish and God will establish His own light. But doesn’t this all sound familiar? The Apostle John, exiled in Patmos, shares his vision of the end times and of the New Jerusalem with us. He says in Revelation 22:5: “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” He says also in Revelation 21:23: “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”  
While darkness looms and we wait in hope and great anticipation of the New Jerusalem, let us be guided by Christ, who declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). And may we live remembering Christ’s declaration to us that we are the light of the world and we should let our lights shine (Matthew 5:14-16).   
Jermaine Gibson 

Real Faith

If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up. Daniel 3:17-18James Schaap, in his book “Intermission,” outlines two ways that we can read this famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He says that the first way is: There stand three men, shoulders back, heads up in front of a crowd, smiling and laughing, full of confidence that nothing will harm them. They know God will save them. The men who throw them into the furnace are burned like paper because the fire is so intensely hot, but the three men stand there, untouched by the flames, their robes hanging gently at their sides.If we read the experience of the three Hebrew boys this way, we are aligned to a materialistic kind of faith, a success and riches kind of Christianity. Many preachers articulate this sort of faith, a gospel of wealth and happiness! “Believe in Jesus and you will be prosperous and nothing bad will ever come your way.” David Wilkinson, in his book, “The Prayer of Jabez”, says that he wants to teach people how to pray a daring prayer that God always answers. He posits that when we pray this prayer the result is prosperity, miracles, and financial blessings. I believe that this kind of faith is meaningless. When bad things happen, as they surely will, we either have to conclude we don’t have this faith, or that this faith is not worth having. We do well to remind ourselves that as long as we live in a sin-filled and imperfect world bad things will happen to us.Schaap says that the second way to read this story is: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are confident, but they are confident of something more important than being saved from the fire: they are confident of eternal salvation. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego know that their God is more than able to save them from the blazing furnace if He wants to, but they don’t know if God will save them. They knew that a walk into the kingdom’s hottest furnace was not just another stroll through the park. They did not know what God would do. They had a real kind of faith; the one that doesn’t pretend to know all of God’s ways, a faith that doesn’t pretend that nothing bad ever happens to God’s children. They did not doubt God’s ability, but neither did they presume to know God’s will.Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego don’t know God’s plans, but they remain completely faithful to God. They tell Nebuchadnezzar that even if God does not save them, they will not serve his gods nor worship the golden statue that he had set up. Daniel’s three friends knew God and had a living relationship with Him. Thus, they dared to stand up for Yahweh even when every other knee and head bows down. As we face the bad that God permits in our lives, as we face hardships and trials, we are being challenged to have the kind of faith that Daniel’s three friends had. The faith that continues to do right even if it costs us our lives. We can hear the words of Job echoing: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (13:15).Jermaine Gibson

Monday Reflection – March 08, 2021
Crying out to God

Asa cried to the Lord his God, “Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let no mortal prevail against you.” 2 Chronicles 14:11

Asa, the great-grandson of Solomon, took the throne of Judah at the end of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel. The Bible notes that he did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. Asa started out by launching a reform movement that lashed out against idolatry, and such reforms were very thorough. While he could not force the people of Judah to seek the Lord and obey him, Asa commanded them with moral force and with his own example. He removed the high places that were dedicated to idols, but not the ones that were dedicated to Yahweh. It is no wonder that the King and his kingdom enjoyed peace and quietness and the Lord gave Asa rest, at least at the start.

Interestingly, even though the people enjoyed peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. Though he had no war, yet he provided for it. He emphasized strengthening the nation’s defense. Asa likely discerned that before long the enemies of Judah would come for battle. Well, the Ethiopians were first in line. They came out with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots. The army of Judah had only 580,000 men. Trouble loomed as the Ethiopian army obviously posed a great threat to the kingdom of Judah, especially since it was almost twice as large.

What would the Commander-in-Chief do? Well, Asa clearly decided that he would not back down, for he led his army out in battle against his enemy. But then, we encounter today’s Watchword – He cried out to the Lord. In his prayer Asa correctly understood that God’s power was not enhanced or limited by man’s apparent strength or weakness. He affirmed that their trust was in God. He declared that they were entering this battle in God’s name. He recognized that this battle belonged to the Lord and called upon God to defend His honour – do not let man prevail against you! With God’s integrity, name and power at stake, God answered powerfully by fighting the battle and striking the Ethiopians.

Admittedly, Asa did the wisest thing that he could by crying out to God. We learn that whenever we are faced with insurmountable odds, it is wise to pray. When it seems hopeless to go on, it is wise to pray. When we lack strength for the battle, we can cry out to God. We remind ourselves that the mightiest army of man is nothing against Almighty God; the word difficult is not in God’s vocabulary. One of the challenges we face is that we fail to rest on and trust fully in God. We are prone to pray and worry, or we pray and try to work it out. How beautiful it is to rest on God! We also affirm that when we go in God’s name, He fights on our behalf and secures the victory.

Jermaine Gibson