Sue O’Donnell. 31.07.20
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5 v 23)
The Lord Jesus is the God of peace,
The peace given by means of
His redemptive †and His holy Eucharist.
The two are inextricably combined,
That we becoming family,
Seek that which Jesus makes holy.
Our spirit, soul and body require His touch.
It is not asking too much
To seek forgiveness through Jesus,
His cleansing blood shed at the †for us.
Re-connected with this by the holy Eucharist,
Hearing the Lord Jesus speaking personally to us,
This is the only way to be made blameless.
“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.” (Psalm 89 v 15)
The Lord God in His inexpressible mercy,
Approaches us through His beloved Son Jesus.
He opens up for us His rich storehouse
To pour manifold graces and blessings upon us.
All of this is accomplished in Christ Jesus,
According to gracious love and committed merciful kindness.
We are being led towards holiness,
Sharing in the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
The Spirit comes to bind us to Christ Jesus,
Offering us in the holy Eucharist, a perfect relationship.
Our life is made righteous in Jesus.
We are called to model His life of holiness,
Loving without reserve, even when undeserved.
“Blessed is the (wo)man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him (her) rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.” (Psalm 94 v 12, 13)
The outcome of the † is our salvation,
For all who believe in Jesus as our Redeemer.
“For the LORD will not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.” (Psalm 94 v 14, 15)
This is the love beyond all telling
Were it not for the †and the Eucharist.
The Lord Jesus prepared us for His death
Sharing the Last Supper with His disciples,
Providing for this to be an ongoing celebration,
Renumeration for all sinfulness made at the †,
Re-presented to us in each and every holy Eucharist.
“ ‘...the bread that I shall give is My flesh for the life of the world’.” (John 6 v 51)
Believing in this, we need to partake of this.
The holy Eucharist offers new life to us.
A life to be led in all holiness leading to eternal gladness.
We become united with the sacred heart of Jesus,
Such an honour, such a privilege, such a responsibility.
Surely this is why the Lord Jesus tells us
That to whom much is given, much is expected.
Our life is clarified, unified by the Holy Spirit,
That very same Spirit who fully filled the Lord Jesus.
The life gifted us in all the fullness of holy love,
Is the life we share with the Lord Jesus,
Lord of our holiness gifting us a true happiness,
Here now in His earthly kingdom and eternally.
“ ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you’.” (Matthew 6 v 33)
Hearts and minds we find uplifted by Jesus,
When He possesses us in the holy Eucharist.
He lightens the darkness of our sinfulness,
Leading us forwards into the gladness of life eternal.
How utterly wondrous is this gift of the Eucharist
Linking us securely with the victory at Calvary.
Our blindness to sin is undone, the battle won.
satan no longer has his stronghold claim upon us.
In the Lord Jesus, according to the marvellous Spirit,
Is all our protection and our provision,
Our entire life preserved for righteous holiness.
We rejoice in the wisdom and truth set out before us.
“For the ways of the LORD are right, the righteous walk in them.” (Hosea 14 v 10)
“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you. ‘Fear not. I will help you.” (Isaiah 41 v 13)
“In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of our strength and in Your favour our horn is exalted.” (Psalm 89 v 16, 17)
“For our shield belongs to the LORD.” (Psalm 89 v 18) In Your love You remember us all, Lord. So let us pray. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
CROSS
EUCHARIST
