Mysteries are wrapped carefully In history’s legend and narrative. Questions are asked frequently, enquiringly. Is truth sought, bought or taught: Trees are brought inside, Have we something to hide away beneath? Oh why decorate to dedicate? Are we striving after beauty? Or is it a human duty To simply reach out by ourselves? What or who do we seek to find? What does Advent bring to mind? What is special about Christmas? Who is Jesus to us? Why bake, decorate endlessly? Is this all for a Baby? Surely you would not hide such delight As Christmas night promises? Ages tell Immanuel will dwell, As God with us. We celebrate wisdom given, Truth driven home spiritually, lovingly. And with certainty Christmas Day will dawn. Excitedly, trustingly, we will greet a very special delivery. Surely true love is verified openly, When love is clearly personified so dramatically. Lord, the events of the Lord Jesus’ birth are fully mind blowing. Please propel our understanding of this joy to the world. Amen. 22.12.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Of course you’ll encounter trouble. But behold a God of power who can take any evil and turn it into a door of hope.” (Catherine Marshall) Through the prayer we share, We dare to hope. This hope is realistic, For we have Christ Jesus More than ready to help us. Prayer aids our realisation Of Him here, near. “ ‘Be assured of this: I am always present with you, even to the end of this age’.” (Matthew 28 v 20 The Truth) Ready at all times By His all powerful Spirit, To come to our aid, Jesus will run to help us. The rest is up to us. We must continue to pray, So as to obey the wisdom given. “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding... Seek them...Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2 v 2-5 The Truth) The Spirit in Jesus, Will find the best way forwards. This is not necessarily done quickly. It does call for our trusting dependency continuously. Christ alive in us Gifts life a godly focus. We act and react differently To how we probably would independently. “For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84 v 11 NIV) Prayerfully we maintain our confidence in Jesus, And gradually we will win through difficulty. Prayer is always needed, Good causes can be interceded. It is in belonging to our Saviour Brother, We discover He is the King of Glory, Recreating our personal faith story. “We can be sure then, that in everything God is working for the welfare of those who love Him, those He has called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8 v 28 The Truth) “In Him there is wisdom, and power too and decision no less than discretion.” (Job 12 v 13) Oh to access this! Thank You dearest Father, that as You want nothing other than the best for us, You grant us wisdom by our turning to Your Son as Saviour and Your Spirit as Sanctifier. When we are downcast, disheartened by problems and trials, aghast at certain situations, You ask us to pray. Thank You that prayer releases a flow of godly wisdom. How much we have to learn in life, but You provide the way. You speak to us through Your Son, “The One who shines with Your glory.” (based on Hebrews 1 v 2 The Truth) In meeting with Him as a trustworthy Friend, we grow to know He is our Saviour although a Brother, and this ensures our faith’s journey into understanding and appreciation of Your majesty of loving authority. “Now faith is being sure of the hope we have, and being certain that we shall see what has been promised, even though we do not see things at present.” (Hebrews 11 v 1 The Truth) In prayer this hope develops, thank You, for our relationship with the Lord our Saviour is secured, deepened and extended by Your Spirit of love busily at work. Wisdom reminds us of all the Lord Jesus has said and done. “ ‘All these things I have told you now, so that by trusting in Me you will be able to maintain your peace’.” (John 16 v 33 The Truth) “ ‘In this world you are bound to experience trouble’,” (Cont) this of course, often being brought upon ourselves because of disobedience. I am sorry for the times I have been at fault. I am truly, truly grateful to be able to turn to the Master, trusting in Your mercy because “When He became Man He expressed Your nature perfectly.” (based on Hebrews 1 v 3 The Truth) Also, “The reason He became Man was to provide the means by which we can be purified from all our sins.” (Cont) Therefore our hope in help is justified. “ ‘You do not need to be downhearted about this’ (about anything) ‘for I have already defeated the world’.” (John 16 v 33 The Truth) What an assurance! We are not immediately set free from our tendency to worry, but if we keep faithful to prayer, the release of peace does happen. Thank You for the mercy. Dearest Father, You are not only Deliverer and Protector, You are our Provider. I have just had this knowledge learned by experience as a result of praying, looking to the Lord Jesus frequently and calling upon His Spirit, readily, reinforced. You know how long I have prayed for a seemingly impossible to solve cause. Two nights ago I came across an intercessory prayer to St Jude, the Patron of desperate causes, of matters which can make us despair. “Make use I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded thee to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of.” “Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolation and succour of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings particularly...” Thank You so much for this lovingly helpful, supportive reassurance and encouragement to keep praying and asking of You. Jesus has taught us to ask in His name to add power to prayer. “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever You ask the Father in My name, He will give you...Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full’.” (John 16 v 23, 24) What rejoicing awaits the particular prayer petition which is almost despaired of. “O God, You have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things You do. Now I am old and grey, do not abandon me, O God.” (Psalm 71 v 17, 18 NLT) I need Your help daily. We all need Your help daily. Together in prayer and practical effort we must make the Lord Jesus’ kingdom on earth a foretaste of heaven. Thank You for the hope we live by. The door of hope stands ready to be pushed open and the Holy Spirit will help us with this. The Lord Jesus stands just the other side waiting to help, because that is the outcome of Your love for us. So we are never abandoned to despair nor even disillusionment. We have every reason to hope in our prayer based trust and dependency. For You are ever merciful, loving and kind. May our wisdom be born out of prayer, together with an ever deepening friendship with Jesus, shaped by the life enhancing Holy Spirit, shielding us so we live with integrity. Safeguarded and guided, always protected, being delivered from all that is evil, “Then we will understand what is right, just and fair, and we will find the right way to go,” (based on Proverbs 2 v 9 NLT) of this I am sure. Thank You so much for ensuring “Wise choices will watch over us. Understanding will keep us safe.” (based on v 11) Please, please, please keep us praying! Amen. 31.01.21 Sue O’Donnell

“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvellous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” (Psalm 98 v 1) Lord of our living, Lord of our dying; Lord of our hoping, Lord of our believing; Lord of our praying, Lord of our blessing; Lord of our trusting, Lord of our depending; Lord of our seeing, Lord of our understanding; Lord of our listening, Lord of our hearing; Lord of our walking, Lord of our talking; Lord of our being, Lord of our becoming. “The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.” (Psalm 98 v 2) Lord of our desiring, Lord of our receiving; Lord of our beginning, Lord of our progressing; Lord of our calling, Lord of our sending; Lord of our addressing, Lord of our blessing; Lord of our questioning, Lord of our answering; Lord of our watching, Lord of our waiting; Lord of our singing, Lord of our rejoicing; Lord of our Christmas, Lord You are Christ Jesus! “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice and sing praises.” (Psalm 98 v 4) “He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” (Psalm 98 v 3) “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King, Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.” (Opening of a Christmas Carol of Isaac Watts 1674-1748, based on Psalm 98) Please pray as we approach the New year, ever in need of a Saviour. Please pray for the Lord Jesus as Divine Healer, for the Corona Pandemic rages as fiercely as ever, but we have One to whom we can safely go! Please pray confidently, “Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4 v 6, 7 NLT) Amen. 31.12.20 Sue O’Donnell

“How may he long abide in peace that meddleth himself with other men’s cares, that seeketh occasions outward and seldom gathereth himself within himself.” (Thomas à Kempis) Do we perhaps not spend sufficient time in prayerful silence, Time for reflection, for contemplation? Meditation is invaluable for spiritual stock taking, Making time to talk with the Trinity. What an incredible time this can be, Gaining insight, wisdom and understanding Especially as to the working of our own thoughts and feelings. We need the Holy Spirit, the Counsellor, Always ready and waiting to assist and instruct us. We must be guided and safeguarded in our daily actions. We must make realistic decisions, with feet firmly planted on earth. “...incline your ear to wisdom and your heart to understanding...cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding...the fear of the LORD...find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2 v 2, 3, 5) But our thoughts and intentions however, being towards heaven. We have to learn at first hand wisely By spending time in the Lord Jesus’ company prayerfully, Listening to, learning from, respecting all He asks of us Or indeed, through the Spirit, sets as a task for us. How else will we make love in action at all times, In all places, the firm foundation of life? We have to assess how well we have lived, or not, According to the example Jesus set regarding the law of love. How conformed are we to the finest example of our Saviour? Are we seeking, praying and continuously working for Him? “Pray...that He will provide ready made opportunities for us to proclaim the message of Christ, in order to give people revelation of the truth.” (Colossians 4 v 4 The Truth) That greater gift of holiness we are so blessed to receive Is coming from our Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. The loving plan of our Father always works in the optimum manner. We must be able to assess what parts of love Have fallen into neglect, been denied or missed by us. For our call is to love with all our mind, All our heart, all our soul and all our strength. Otherwise the love of Jesus is not evident in us. Ultimately we are all called to be sharers In the full life of the Lord Jesus, His love life long, Also in the glorious life beyond death, in love’s company, the Trinity. “God is love. So if love is your way of life, it is clear that you live in God and that He lives in you. This is how God’s love is revealed among us, and it is this obedience to Him that will give us confidence on the Day of Judgment. Such love shows the world that we are like the One in whom we believe.” (1 John 4 v 16, 17 The Truth) Jesus, by the Spirit is always leading us home to heaven. Our goodness does not just happen at random, It is the result of spending time with Jesus, Praying with a listening ear, open heart and attentive mind. We must find out where and why we go wrong. We must firmly resolve as to what to do about these errors. If our decision is to result in revision of faults, Then there is a daily necessity to call on the Spirit, No longer sitting in critical judgment on others. It is introspection, self inspection, that reaps godly results prayerfully. “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” (Psalm 51 v 6) “You should ask God to supply the wisdom you need, for He gives generously and unreservedly to all. However, you must believe when you ask and not doubt His willingness to give...” (James 1 v 5 The Truth) Lord God, advised to start each day effectively in Your presence, we are also called to finish the day, pausing as we pray, to allow the Holy Spirit to direct our attention to holy wisdom and truth. Have we adhered to this strictly through all the hours, or not? We need then, to converse with You introspectively in order to do better the next day. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139 v 24) Holy Spirit, Lord, please cut through the quagmire of our doubts, deceits or disillusionment. We need loving encouragement to uplift us in the face of our inventory of faults and failings. Show us if we have been wilful, arrogant or disobedient, even in the smallest way, for heaven allows for no imperfection, none whatsoever. Turn our folly to Jesus as Saviour. Let us assess through the truth the Lord Jesus reveals to us, whether we have lived to honour and please our Father, or not. If failing, show us where and why. Renew please, our resolve to live wisely, honourably, lovingly, giving of the very best of ourself daily without any compromise or diversion, nothing misleading at all. Show us how to assess in the light of Jesus’ love for us and His wish to love through us. Have we accomplished this vital part of our faith? Have we prayed sufficiently so as to live correctly? Have we put into practice all the Lord Jesus has modelled to us, told us, asked of us, expects and hopes for? Or have we disappointed Him at all? Please help us to replay the day so as to pick out problems, pain, difficulty and anxiety, in fact anything that needs the Lord Jesus’ healing touch. Remind us to ask for this time and time again. Help please, our repentance to be genuine with a sound resolve to do better in the future by thinking, acting and re-acting in the way we know we are supposed to, in the holy way we share with Christ Jesus. Please keep us persevering without losing heart, for it can be so upsetting to realise our lack of progress made in spite of the best intentions. Remind us again of our Father’s mercy, that which allows Jesus to die to gain this for us. Are we prepared to live sacrificially? Are we wholeheartedly resolved to serve even when inconvenient, unexpected, uncomfortable for us? Does holy love empower all our thoughts and decisions, motivate our actions, shape our re-actions, especially in the face of challenge which can be harshly unjust? Are we ambassadors of the Lord Jesus, willing to go the extra mile or two, or to give to a cause without expecting any return, other than knowing this is the right thing to do. Have we ignored, turned a deaf ear to Your call, Lord of the Spirit? Have we dishonoured the merits of Christ Jesus in any way at all? Are we ambassadors for our Father’s love and mercy as we experience in Jesus? Come, define and refine our prayer, making it correctly balanced between looking inwards and looking outwards to the needs of family, friends and society in general. Possibly, probably, we do not pray sufficiently. Teach us to keep ready accounts with the Lord God Almighty, by firing up all our prayers as often as a demand dictates, but particularly in the face of conflict and division. You, in Jesus, are the revision of our ways and I thank You for this mercy coming directly from our all loving, ever forgiving Father, so kindly and compassionate when we go wrong. Life goes on season by season, year by year. But do we make sufficient personal progress in our faith’s understanding and willingness to obey what we know is right, the best way for mankind because it is the way Jesus taught us. O Lord, teach us to pray more fervently. May Your Holy Spirit ever help us to find strength of holy purpose in our friendship with the Lord Jesus. In His light of love may we delight and honour You by our Christian service, not one day wasted. Amen. 11.12.20 Sue O’Donnell

“You are a holy people to the LORD your God, the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples in the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 7 v 6) Richly blessed by the Lord Jesus at Easter, The time now is when accordingly Daily life should be full of joy and expectancy, An assurety as to the holy love of God Poured into searching, faith desiring hearts, By the power of the Holy Spirit, Shaper of our sanctity. “Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.” (Psalm 118 v 25) Remember what happened to those first disciples, When filled by the Holy Spirit they spread out Far and wide into society to spell out the reality of holy love. Their actions were effective in converting many, Because the Spirit had animated them fully By the personal love of the Lord Jesus, God’s Son. “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” (Psalm 118 v 22) The perfectly holy One worked wonders, With those no longer limited by their natural ability, And richly empowered by the industrious Spirit. They placed their trust and dependency in the power of holy love. The Spirit builds up our faith ever lovingly. He develops for us a wise understanding of God’s ways, Through a most precious friendship with the Lord Jesus. “This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118 v 23) The Spirit keeps us praying, so believing. He upbuilds love in our hearts and minds. He keeps us safe even in the face of enemy attack. The Spirit ensures we lack no good thing In our will, our efforts to be faithful servants, Who know, love and serve through a warm relationship with Jesus. Every grace and blessing is made our own, marvellously, With many a sound reason found through Christ Jesus we can rejoice openly. “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them and I will praise the LORD.” (Psalm 118 v 19, 20) “I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation.” (Psalm 118 v 21) We cannot live without Your power, dearest Father, so please send Your Spirt of love upon us. We ask to receive of You so our joy may be full, full to overflowing, wherever we are in the kingdom of love the Lord Jesus has established, and is now relying upon the maintenance by His followers. Father, we cannot love You except through loving each other, and we will do this properly only when we desire to be more like the Lord Jesus. He who comes from residing nearest to Your Father heart of love, being empowered by the Spirit of love. Empower us please by the very same Spirit. Grant us the grace to be conformed by the Spirit to the closest possible likeness to the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd tending and caring for us, being also the Prince of Peace and King of Glory. Glory is the power of holy love alive in the followers of the Lord Jesus, that the more we grow to become like Him, the fuller the blessings that flow day by day, such a help to our needy world. Let us take the warmth of the Lord Jesus’ love to the downcast, the outcast, the needy, the depressed and despondent. This warmth is found in the light of the gospel message, the truth of all holy love wins over to rebut satan and to develop a real understanding and appreciation of joy and peace. Thank You for the sure foundation which our faith is built upon, the purpose of holy love always to renew our life day by faith filled day, days when true love is evident to us often unexpectedly and surprisingly. May we not forget to offer all thanks when this happens. Let there be a decided gain in ground, the ground of Christian faith, reliant upon prayer, which invites the Lord Jesus to be acting with us and invokes the Holy Spirit as He trains us, corrects us, disciplines us, stretches us, all for the benefit of godly service. May faith become an exciting journey of discovery thereby, a lifetime of rich fulfilment due to the friendship of the Lord Jesus and the outcome of relying upon the Holy Spirit of joy. Our expectancy will be rewarded. Keep us praying in the face of any setback or disappointment, that we do not give up on our efforts to evangelise and give witness to the power of holy love. For “ ‘No one having put his (her) hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’.” (Luke 9 v 62) This teaches us there is no room for complacency if we are successful, nor for a change of heart or mind regarding faith’s outcome, if we hit a blank wall. Our faith’s gainful service requires a clear focus of love, as the tool with which we work. Our attention is not to be diverted away from what we know is right in Your sight, holy Father. Lukewarm discipleship must have no place within our efforts, for the Spirit of love as gifted by Jesus, is all powerful. “God gave the increase’.” (1 Corinthians 3 v 7) “For we are God’s fellow workers, God’s field...” (v 9) His upbuilding in faith’s joyous expectancy, a productive dependency, whereby “Let each one take heed how (s)he builds” (v 10) on faith’s hope. The love of Jesus personally given, this is our hope. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus,” (v 11) alive in us, all thanks be to the salvation gifted at the †, and the fresh outpouring of the Spirit. May the life of love the Lord Jesus offers to each believer, ever be anointed by the Spirit of love to be successfully, gainfully enriched and empowered. As we have had to learn, we need to help others to learn to live in the way the Lord Jesus has shown us. By the Spirit, our Saviour Brother shows us that You are the Lord God of love, grace and extraordinary, life changing, uplifting hope and joy giving power. How truly majestic Your sovereignty is! Richly indeed, we are blessed when heaven reaches down to earth in the Person and the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, to tenderly, graciously teach us with Your power of such steadfast loving kindness, a real joy for us to experience such hope is given, thank You. May joy and expectancy always be a hallmark of our faith. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42 v 5) “The LORD will command His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me – a prayer to the God of my life.” (v 8) Keep us please, ever praying. Then we see the rich blessings flowing, thank You. Amen. 20.11.20 Sue O’Donnell

“You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.” (Psalm 3 v 3) Of all the very many blessings in life, The highest, the fullest, the richest, Is the holy life and sacrificial death Of the Saviour Lord, we call ‘Jesus’. He being the Son of the Lord God Almighty, Brings the Father to us in love’s mercy. Abundantly indeed, we are richly blessed, To be possessed of God’s living Word in Jesus. “Salvation belongs to the LORD, Your blessing is upon Your people.” (Psalm 3 v 8) Jesus as Saviour, the Divine Healer of all ills, Of the errors of judgment we make, Does take this upon Himself, to gain forgiveness for us. Thus the mercy of God does flow, Over all who know Jesus as not just a holy Brother, But personally as Saviour, our Healer. Jesus accepted the †for our benefit. We are blessed to be invited to share His holiness. “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4 v 1) “How long O you sons (and daughters) of men, will you turn My glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?” (Psalm 5 v 2) “But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him (her) who is godly...” (Psalm4v3) so please pray for more of us to know the blessings of belonging to the Lord Jesus, our Saviour, the opening to blessings a- plenty. Amen. 08.09.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Help me to rise above my human weaknesses and to grow stronger as a Christian...” (“The Universal Prayer” Pope Clement XI) Being blessed is To be possessed Of Jesus as Lord, God’s living Word, Our named Saviour, Our claimed Messiah, Yet our Brother. Being blessed is Recognising we are recipients Of God’s every grace and favour, Feeling gifted in our Saviour, Made real to appeal, By the Spirit of holiness Who works with Jesus for our benefit. Being blessed is Enjoying praying, Knowing the Trinity of love, Of the profoundest mercy Will handle effectively, Anything and everything Life throws at us in adversity. Being blessed is Giving our life to Jesus, Nothing held back, So we nothing lack In seeking to share His holiness, Taught us by the Spirit Who specialises in developing sanctity. Being blessed is Heeding the Spirit of Jesus, He who is too, the Spirit of our Father, Ever there for me and you, To share love’s goodness, Through which He is teaching us, Reaching all aspects of our spiritual development. Being blessed is Recognising how, when, where and why The Spirit addresses us prayerfully, To equip and enable our Christian service, To be carved out wholeheartedly According to God given skills and talents, Which serve God’s earthly kingdom well established by Jesus. Being blessed is Discovering holy wisdom and truth, Graciously, generously gifted us in Jesus, Given freely through mercy, As we are saved from our sinfulness, By the One, the holy Son, Living, dying at the †of sacrifice, then rising again. Being blessed is Recognising, naming, claiming Godly fellowship, friendship in Jesus, As the Spirit develops this, That we live to give daily All glory to God, our Father, Through worship offered in Christian service. “...Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3 v 24) “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...You are with me...surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23 v 1, 4, 6) Lord Jesus, being blessed is believing in You, receiving from You, relying upon You, hoping all will be well as You anoint and appoint us for Christian service in Your Spirit. Thank You for this blessing. Thank You for teaching us how vital prayer is so our learning, blessed by Your Spirit, appreciates that You are all holy wisdom and truth, acting as the living Word of God. Thank You that the Holy Spirit develops our faith so the Father who lives in You, who lives in us, You as a Trinity can shape us for holiness according to love’s working power. Thank You for the guidance of the uplifting Spirit, correcting and convicting us of sinfulness, cleansing and purifying us of all errors, whilst being mercifully consoling and comforting, for the Spirit is encouraging. Thank You that the Spirit works with our faith’s understanding, so no room is left for us to feel frightened or doubtful. For You are our Saviour and fully we are blessed. Thank You for calling us to Your side through prayer, so the Spirit can accomplish all it is You will to do for us and with us, all to the utmost delight of our Father, whose glory we seek. Thank You for Your Spirit’s leading and guidance, teaching and helping us to pray, so that in You we find our Father’s heart of mercy, so willing to love and forgive us our wrong doing. Thank You for the incredible, life changing, life enhancing power of holy love which is so kind and compassionate. And it is amazing how the Spirit of love works the best in any given situation for all of us, without favouritism. Thank You that it is through this love we find such peace, real hope and full joy, making each day as a Christian an exciting and rewarding venture, as the Spirit always devotes us to You, Lord Jesus. Thank You for our belonging, for being Our Shepherd as well as Saviour, Lord as well as Master, Messiah as well as Brother. How enriched we are to realise this. Thank You that the Spirit helps us to recall to mind Your actions and Your words, that we are safeguarded from all that is evil, even though the world is full of troubles. Thank You for the security we find in praying to the Trinity, in being invited into His holy company full of all wisdom and truth, working through a love ever gracious. Thank You for our sense of belonging, for this really is a blessing of the highest order, meaning that nothing other than our own wilful sinning will come between us. It cannot because of Your †. Thank You that we can claim Your victory at the †, whereby our salvation means through You, Lord Jesus, by the Spirit, we gain all that is needed for holiness and happiness. Thank You that You gain for us the eternal happiness which is the reward for a lifetime of loving and serving in Your name. The joy we now know is but a shadow of the joy awaiting us. Amen. 27.07.20 Sue O’Donnell

“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the LORD.” (Psalm 116 v 7) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, much hope. Very great hope becomes ours in the Lord Jesus. “For His merciful kindness is great towards us, And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 117 v 2) Praise the Lord! Praise Him for the mercy shown to us. The Lord Jesus is our living hope, a fulfilled Promise. “Stir up the gift of God which is in you...” (2 Timothy 1 v 6) This Promise of salvation is fulfilled. So there is no reason to lose heart. We hope for the peace re-established between God and us. We hope for a life given in charitable service. Which one day will reach fulfilment in the joy of heaven. We hope for a life full of godly purpose now and forever. The hope our Father holds out before us of heaven. “For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power and love that enables us to exercise self discipline and right thinking.” (2 Timothy 1 v 6) This hope is shared with us by the Lord Jesus, As our mind becomes filled with His holy wisdom and truth. Hope invites change and improvement wherever necessary. Hope is the fuel in the fire of determination, A personal declaration of how we lead our life, In a godly and pleasing manner, our worship being in the Lord Jesus. We hope thereby to be His kingdom builders. “Jesus said: ‘Once a person has begun to plough, (s)he must not look back. Such a one is not fit for service in God’s kingdom’.” (Luke 9 v 62 The Truth) We are to be His kingdom maintainers, overseers and extenders. We hope to be well prepared for this highly responsible task, Living honourably, lovingly, working diligently, Endeavouring to uphold the Lord Jesus as King. In all His holy authority, Jesus is the King of Glory. And all will be well, all manner of things Are made well and remain well when Jesus is with us. “Oh, give thanks to the LORD for He is good! For His mercy endures forever...Let those who fear the LORD now say ‘His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118 v 1, 4) “Offer to God thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50 v 15) Let us pray to “Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” (Psalm 100 v 1) “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (v 5) “I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises.” (Psalm 101 v 1) Amen. 14.11.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Come and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.” (Hosea 6 v 1) It is still Christmas in a way! For it is the time of holy promise. Love is upon us, God with us in Christ Jesus. How truly wondrous, A happening most marvellous! “Let us know. Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us...” (Hosea 6 v 3) In fact, this happening is fully miraculous. For the Lord Jesus offers holiness, A radical change intended for us. Love came down at Christmas To ever more abide with us. Is this not incredulous? Accept then the offer God gives us. “And this is His commandment, that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment.” (1 John 3 v 23) “Now (s)he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him (her). And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” (1 John 3 v 24) Please pray to experience this yourself and for your family and friends to also receive the holy promise. Amen. 20.01.21 Sue O’Donnell