SUE O'DONNELL. 26.04.21
“Refuse to have anything to do with whatever disagrees with His word…You are to train yourself to be godly …a godly character influences everything you do, and has great value in the present life and in the life that is to come.” (2 Timothy 4 v 7, 8 The Message)
This is our hope, but it is realistic
When applied to each of us personally?
Did we fight daily to keep satan at bay?
Did we pray to obey regularly, wholeheartedly?
Did we study the sacred Scriptures to aid this?
Did we seek the reverence of Christ Jesus’ friendship?
Did we find His supremacy in the Holy Eucharist?
Did we live no longer conformed to this world?
Did we act and speak as if reformed?
Did we model to many, any, Christ’s way of life?
Did we overcome strife, hostility, iniquity prayerfully?
Did we repent as often as is necessary?
Did we resolve to try harder in the future to behave respectfully?
Did we live by the revelation of holy love’s demand upon us?
Did we push anxiety away because we did pray confidently?
“Whatever things are true…noble…just…pure…lovely…of good report…(of) any virtue…
praiseworthy, meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4 v 8)
Did we? Did we really absorb all that is necessary to live by?
“The things which we learned and received and heard and saw in” the Lord Jesus, the Christ, our Saviour, “these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4 v 9)
This is our hope and it is realistic,
When believed by each of us personally.
Did we turn to the Holy Spirit of faith?
Did we ask Him daily to lead us?
Did we rely upon the Spirit’s safeguarding?
Did we conform our thoughts to His teaching?
Did we ask and allow Him to change us?
Did we seek to become regularly more Christ like?
Did we claim to do all things by His strength?
Did we abide by His wisdom revealed to aid us?
Did we receive His preaching in the fullness of the †?
Did we in knowing Christ as Lord, continue to call on the Spirit?
Did we cultivate an active prayer life full of praise?
Did we learn to truly amaze at God’s grace and goodness?
Did we unfailingly live in the love and mercy of the Trinity?
“Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty
hold me with Thy pow’rful hand,
bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more.” (Opening verse of a hymn of W. Williams 1717-1791)
“Open now the crystal fountain
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through,
strong Deliverer,
be Thou still my strength and shield.” (Verse 2)
Oh the sacred flame of love, of mercy, of healing help towards our holiness, all bound up in the name of the Lord Jesus. “Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.” (“The Divine Praises”) We can only get our head and heart around this Divine Mystery by turning to the Holy Spirit.
The crystal fountain of love flowing from the side of Christ Jesus hanging on the †to gain us forgiveness and pierced by the soldier’s lance. According to Your mercy, Father, the healing water flowed.
Thank You for feeding us, our spiritual nourishment being in Christ Jesus, the Saviour, coming to us as the Bread of Heaven, the Victor over all that is evil. Spiritual famine is an evil.
May the power of holy love as experienced in the Holy Spirit, safely guide, guard and uphold us as we journey on towards heaven, a pilgrim band proclaiming Christ’s name. “Blessed be the name of Jesus.” (“The Divine Praises” cont)
“Blessed be His most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,” (Cont) The fiery pillar who lights our way forwards, onwards, upwards.
We belong to You, dearest Father, because Your Son has made us righteous and the Holy Spirit is developing our holiness amidst the spiritual battle with the adversary seeking to waylay us and turn us off track, but he will not!
For holy love sees progress, conquers difficulties, always fights another day, does not fail to pray or call on the name of Christ Jesus as He shares His life of love and victorious, sacrificial death with us. Holy love is steadfastly faithful, uplifting, encouraging, always blessing and benefitting us, all thanks to the victory at the †and the recall of this in every Holy Eucharist.
This is the love to set us free. Free from doubt and fear, for we depend upon holy love in all its extraordinary power to heal us of all negativity. How necessary, if we are to serve well in the name of our Saviour.
Our days are in Your hands, Father God. Please send Your faith building Spirit in response to our prayer, whatever form the prayer takes. Without Him we cannot worship in adoration, in thanksgiving, in repentance or intercession.
The Holy Spirit, through the Lord Jesus, is the Comforter who will “Bid my anxious fears subside,” (from the third verse of the hymn “Songs of Praises” cont.) show us how death is overcome, leading us to heaven.
The power of the Holy Spirit is invaluable to us. “I will ever give to Thee” (Cont) the warm veneration deserved throughout the Trinity, so full of love and mercy, so wise and reliably trustworthy, we can live happily.
Holiness and happiness are Your gift of joyous gladness heartfelt, thank You. We know we are cherished, cared about, provided for. Let us show full commitment in response, ever striving for the good of mankind, all
to the glory of the Trinity, today and every day. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
HOPE
OBEDIENCE
