Posts by Craig Smee

Today’s reflection centers on the true essence of the church, emphasizing that the church is not a building or a set of religious rules but a community of believers reflecting God’s character. The church should embody Jesus’ love, grace, and forgiveness rather than judgment and alienation. We are called to be like Jesus, who associated with those different from Him and showed love and compassion. The church has caused pain, and it’s crucial to seek forgiveness and release any resentment…

This week, I had the pleasure of being a tour guide for my visiting family from South Africa, which led me to reflect on the nature of change. I love roller coasters, but only when I can see where they are going. This week, I experienced a ride that changed its direction, making me nauseous and uncomfortable. This unexpected change served as a metaphor for the church’s current state. We are about to embark on a transformative journey that will…

Here is the second post in the Focused Disciple Series. In the first post, we looked at the WHO we are focused on, and in this post, we will study the WHAT. We are called to make a radical shift in our thinking. We often find ourselves overwhelmed, thinking it’s time to sit down and rest. However, Scripture never instructs us to sit down and fight our battles from a place of comfort. We are called to be active in…

Let’s explore what it means to be a disciple and how strong disciples build a strong church. In this post, we will focus on who we are following, and next post, we will delve into what we are focused on. Our theme scripture for these two posts is 1 Peter 2:21, which reminds us that Christ left us an example to follow. Discipleship is not about comfort; it involves stepping out of our comfort zones, just as Jesus did. Jesus…

In a recent message, we delved into the profound theme of spiritual warfare, focusing on the unseen battles that rage around us and within us. We began by acknowledging the aggressive atmosphere of the world today, where ideologies clash and everyone seems to be asserting their version of truth. This external chaos mirrors our internal battles daily, where doubts and decisions vie for our attention. We explored the scriptural foundation in 2 Corinthians 4:18, which instructs us not to focus…

I was on a mission this morning, eagerly preparing for a ministry event, when suddenly, a nail in my tire disrupted my plans. It was not something I caused or could have prevented. At that moment, my Monday went from passion to deflation. There is so much happening in our world and circumstances that deflate our spirits, especially when things seem to go against our mission or passion. It can be disheartening when external factors hinder our progress. Prices are…

Embracing the Light of Renewal: The Transformative Power of Easter As dawn breaks and the world shifts from darkness to light, it’s a powerful reminder of the innate desire for renewal and refreshment within us all. This longing is not merely an emotional response but a spiritual recognition of the need for Christ’s transformative power in our lives. The message of Ephesians chapter 1 resonates deeply, speaking of hearts flooded with light, a light that dispels darkness and instills hope…

The Wellspring Within – Cultivating a Heart That Reflects the Divine At the core of our existence lies the heart, a wellspring of life from which our actions, character, and essence emanate. This central hub of our being requires our vigilant protection, for it is the birthplace of all that we do and all that we are. The heart’s condition is the compass that guides our journey, steering us toward either the light of truth or the shadows of deceit.…