“Blessed be God who lives forever, for His reign endures throughout all ages!” (Tobit 13 v 1 TNJB) Lord, may we stand before You whole, Made whole in body, soul and spirit, By the love You always offer us in Christ Jesus. This is the true love which gifts peace to us. “The Lord will grant you His grace and peace.” (Tobit 7 v 11 TNJB) Open for us the gates of thanksgiving, For we belong to the Lord who is King. It is in Jesus’ kingdom of love we find peace, Peace in the release of our sin and sorrow. “Bless God, utter His praise before all the living, for the favour He has shown you. Bless and extol His name. Proclaim before all people the deeds of God as they deserve and never tire of giving Him thanks.” (Tobit 12 v 6 TNJB) The Lord Jesus is God’s highest blessing to us. Jesus is God’s Word of life and offer of love. This love emanates from above by the Spirit of holiness. The Spirit is the love of Jesus made clear to us. We have a Brother who is our Saviour. We have a Saviour who is our Sanctifier. The sanctity of divine healing lies within the Spirit’s remit As and when we give our life to the Lord Jesus. “..who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2 v 14) “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” (2 Timothy 1 v 8, 9) Therefore please pray. 26.09.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Now to Him, who loved us, gave us Every pledge that love could give, Freely shed His blood to save us, Gave His life that we might live; Be the Kingdom and dominion, And the glory, evermore.” (The GOLDEN TEXTBOOK) For we have a Saviour amongst us. He is the Christ Child born to Mary, Foretold by an angel, cared for by Joseph, And His name is most glorious. It is ‘JESUS’ meaning God is with us, And He, together with the Holy Spirit, A Trinity of love and mercy, The Trinity will save us from sinfulness, For they plan to sanctify us. “O God, send me Your Spirit to teach me what I am and what You are.” (St John Vianney) Life is a journey of discovery. Today is a new beginning, God’s blessing. Our Father is ever addressing us in Christ Jesus, The living, abiding Word of truth. The Saviour introduces us to our Father. The Holy Spirit introduces us to our Saviour, Making life a fully joyous process of discovery. Our life is bound up in love and mercy That one day we will be enabled to say: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course God had for me and I have been faithful. Now the crown of righteousness awaits me...” (2 Timothy 4 v 7, 8 The Truth) “To escape the distress caused by regret for the past or fear about the future, this is the rule to follow: Leave the past to the infinite mercy of God, the future to His good providence; give the present wholly to His love by being faithful to His grace.” (Jean-Pierre de Caussade) Let us pray with thanksgiving, as by being followers of the Lord Jesus, we learn to do this. We are a people of hope this New Year, gaining a new life, all thanks to the Lord God’s all loving, ever merciful kindness towards us. We are invited to experience true love which is holy, and the unsurpassable joy of Jesus’ friendship. Amen. 01.01.21 Sue O’Donnell

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for (s)he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him!” (Hebrews 11 v 6) Lord, I find it so very, very difficult To simply just be, To sit before You silently In rapt attention of adoration. My mind runs hither and thither But nowhere in particular. Send down please, the fire of Your Spirit, For two specific, essential purposes. Firstly, burn away the ugly dross, Of any and all of my sinfulness. Without the call to forgiveness, I cannot worship fully, not sincerely. Secondly, please ask Your Spirit To actually set me on fire with love, A pure devoted love for the Trinity. Life can only become as holy As You, the Trinity, in Your love For all of us, Your family, Equip us to properly worship. We must offer ourselves to You entirely, Nothing held back so we nothing lack Of Your godly influence and inspiration. Lord, holy Three, Almighty Trinity, Full to overflowing with love and mercy, As I adore You, I implore You To come to me when I am prayerfully occupied, To take up residence, never to leave me. Even when I forget You, do not forget me. Do not abandon the work of Your hands, Whereby You have brought me this far In faith, in trust, in dependency. Please take me forwards, onwards, upwards Towards that heavenly realm of eternity, Awaiting all who are faithful to Jesus. I ask in heartfelt sincerity, to be one such. Touch me throughout every hour of the day, And in the night as I sleep peacefully. Prepare me for our later meeting. But not only as I pray, but regularly. There are too many long hours When to my shame, I do not even think about You, Let alone turn and talk with You. Walk with me, dear Lord, continually. For then possibly, I can just be. Be so aware of Your closeness addressing me, Helping me, blessing me regularly, I will manage to just be, living reflectively. O Lord, urgently I need You to do this for me. Thank You for the countless times previously, When, by Your Spirit, You helped me to live properly, And to give of myself, all to Your glory. Therein I am truly made happy. All praise and thanks ever, ever therein be. “…concerning the Word of life – that life was manifested and I have seen and bear witness and declare to You that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to me –” (1 John 1 v 1, 2 personalised) “That which I have seen and heard I declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with me and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things I write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1 v 3, 4 personalised) Lord, we are told in all truth which can be readily experienced: “ ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’.” (Luke 12 v 34) You are my treasure, so my heart must be given to You. But I can only do this fully by rapt awareness of Your presence and all too often, and too easily, I lose my sense of Your nearness. I am sorry. I ask for Your Spirit’s help to remind me to pray more often, to also simply stop what I am doing to look Your way, and enter into conversation with You. Why does this not happen? What prevents it? Am I too busy? Or too pre-occupied with my own agenda? Am I simply going on automatic pilot? I do not want life to be like this. I wish to grow closer and closer to You, Lord Jesus, so in this I can please and honour our Father. Only in You, through You, together with You, sensing Your nearby presence, can I truly worship and this is of more importance to me. I thank You for any progress I have made, but know there is as yet, a long way to go. Thank You that I can avail myself of the sacraments, of serious biblical study, of seeking greater spiritual learning, all of which helps me. Thank You especially for the blessings of the Eucharist where Your real presence is promised. Lord Jesus, You are life to me, the real life as planned and purposed by our Father. Thank You for making me aware of this by means of Your Spirit. I rejoice to know You as Saviour. May the Spirit help me to be still, really still in Your presence, still in mind as well as body, attentively listening with real concentration which will sense any movement of Your Spirit upon my heart, mind, will or conscience. “…feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart,” (Psalm 37 v 3, 4)Himself surely! It is this which makes us of right standing in our Father’s eyes, once we have accepted You as Saviour, Lord Jesus. “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him.” (v 5) This is what I must do. This is what I want to do knowing the outcome of the forgiveness You won for us at the † of salvation, that place of amazing healing. Lord Jesus, through the Father, by the Holy Spirit, You “Shall bring forth our righteousness as the light and our justice as the noon day.” (based on v 6) There is no half measure about this, thank You. As You come to us as Divine Healer, I ask You please to heal me of any half-heartedness or unwillingness to seek You first, to live entirely to be of service to Your kingdom. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.” (v 7) Why do I find it so very, very difficult to simply just be, to sit before You silently? Am I allowing myself to be carried away by my own enthusiasm for Your works, without leaving sufficient time for replenishment? I need to be full to overflowing with Your Spirit, if I am to honour and adore our Father through my friendship with You, Lord Jesus. “The steps of a good (wo)man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his (her) way.” (v 23) May this be so for me. “Though (s)he falls, (s)he shall not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholds him (her) with His hand.” (v 24) I ask for this to happen please when I keep making the same mistakes time and again. I do not want to be such a slow learner. Instead, make me wholehearted in my pursuit of living always in all holiness. May I “Depart from evil,” (v 27) the evil of not heeding You, of not even acknowledging my need of You, which happens when I go my own way. “The law of God in his (her) heart, none of his (her) steps shall slide.” (v 31) May this be so for me, as I “Wait on You LORD, and keep Your way…For the future of that (wo)man is peace,” (based on v 34, 37) and I am devoid of that peace when I fail You. For in failing You, I fail our Father and this troubles me. But, all thanks, all praise, and most certainly all glory ever, ever be, “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD, and You are our strength in the time of trouble,” (based on v 39) because Lord Jesus, Saviour, You are our Healer, my Healer. You help and heal, teach and re-make. You deliver us from all that is evil, including the evil of turning away from You even if this is merely careless thoughtlessness, an unnecessary hurry to be about our own ideas. “I do not claim to have received all that God has for me, neither have I yet been made perfect.” (Philippians 3 v 12 The Truth) I know this only too well, and it is uncomfortable. My failures weigh me down. Please forgive my lack of devotion and help me in the future. I pray asking to do better in my resolve to sit silently before You, Lord Jesus, to offer up my entire self in worship. For I want to be daily “Moving forward to take hold of everything that You have planned to give me when You took hold of my life.” (Cont.) Oh, most happy day when You did this, thank You so much! Lord, take me now forwards, ever rejoicing in Your close presence, for I seek to be a child of Your joy as I come to God. Amen. 14.07.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Father, who didst fashion me Image of Thyself to be, Fill me with Thy love divine, Let my every thought be Thine.” (Opening verse of “Die parente temporum” Le Mans Breviary 1748, translated Henry W. Baker 1861) Jesus calls us to Himself by the Spirit, Because He provides through holiness, All that is needed by us To gain access to our Father. Our Father, the Lord God Almighty, Would rather He did not, Or perhaps it is that He cannot, Bear to look upon our sinfulness. It is the shared holiness, Which the Lord Jesus offers us As He draws us to Himself. He says to each of us: “ ‘Follow Me...’.” (Matthew 4 v 19) Jesus makes us acceptable In the eyes of our Father. The Lord Jesus calls us to Himself by the Spirit, With the purpose of redemption, The saving action of salvation, Ever uppermost in His mind. We find, all thanks to the Spirit , His presence amongst us when we pray And offer the Holy Spirit an invitation, Whereby He can take up residence In our heart, mind, will and conscience. “ ‘Away with you, satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve’.” (Matthew 4 v 10) The Spirit is life to us The new life we gain in Christ Jesus. Yes, Jesus as Saviour, as Lord, As Shepherd, as Master, as God’s Word, Ever living and ever true to His mission. Jesus calls us to Himself, In the Spirit of prayer, Where He does share all aspects Of the holy love God gifts us, In a multiplicity of ways, Especially of course, as we pray. “Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.” ( St Jane Frances de Chantal) Prayer develops our understanding Ever first and foremost, Of the grace given through the life and death Of God’s beloved Son, the Lord Jesus. He who is the Light to our path of faith, Always by His Spirit of wisdom, Leading us forwards, homewards to heaven. We are called to be restored To every grace and favour of our Father, Made our own to claim and name In the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, Our Saviour Restorer, by the Spirit. “Holy Spirit, may I be Dead and buried here with Thee; And, by love inflamed, arise Unto Thee a sacrifice.” (The second verse of “Die parente temporum”) How good the Lord God is to us, Asking, allowing, inviting His Son, He, named as the saving One, To be the glory within us, Developing us, prayer by prayer, a process. Yes, Jesus calls us to Himself, To share in the richest wealth Of His Spirit given hope of heaven, Found, made sound by Jesus’ own holiness. Pray today in whatever way you can, So as to acknowledge this grace and favour. “Overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12 v 21) The favour is that being freely gifted a Saviour, We as family of a most holy Man, A man with a divine heart of love, Will start and forever continue to make progress, In the hope, peace and joy, Jesus’ holiness shares with us. Our old self has to be completely abandoned, That we be renewed in spirit, mind and heart. Our will and conscience recreated in righteousness And the perfect holiness of the Lord, Saviour and Master. For this very purpose to glorify our Father, Jesus calls us to Himself by the Spirit. “Thou who dost all gifts impart Shine, sweet Spirit, in my heart; Best of gifts Thyself bestow; Make me burn They love to know.” (The third verse of “Die parente temporum”) “God, the blessed Three in One, Dwell within my heart alone; Thou dost give Thyself to me; May I give myself to Thee.” (Closing verse of “Die parente temporum”) We are called by the Spirit to be baptised with Christ Jesus so then, we can say in all confident sincerity: “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 6) In Jesus, as He calls us to Himself, we find by the Spirit, all loving care, concern, compassion and help. Otherwise the deceit, trickery and disaster caused by satan, is rife and society is in breakdown. All grace and blessing is made ours in hearing and responding to Your call, Lord Jesus, Saviour, Master, the living and abiding Word of God, as shown us by the Holy Spirit. To be well balanced in our ways and outlook, we need Your Spirit, Lord God, that very Spirit who fills the Lord Jesus, to guide and safeguard us daily, always encouraging us to hear Jesus’ call to holiness. Please pour out Your Spirit through the risen and ascended, thereby glorified, Lord Jesus, ensuring Your everlasting mercy is upon us as long as we respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him. We are called and claimed, named and claimed, prayed for by the Lord Jesus, Your Word of wisdom and truth made ours Father God, by means of the Spirit. Father, in Your Son, as He calls us to Himself, by the Holy Spirit, we learn to acknowledge that You are in overall control. I thank You for Your sovereign authority that we never be abandoned. All goodness comes from You dearest Father of every mercy, all benefits and manifold blessings. Thank You that as the Lord Jesus calls us to Himself, He, by the Spirit, re-creates us for Your service. May the Spirit of wisdom help us to pray and obey about all aspects of daily life, making us resourceful and generous as we commit to following the example of Jesus. Thank You for the way, this way of full holiness, by which the Lord Jesus does inspire us, as long as we pray and open to the Spirit of generous love, His love, Your love Father. We praise You for calling us into the Lord Jesus’ fellowship of all loving kindness, of heartfelt mercy, of the fruit of the Spirit which is such a rich blessing keeping us in Your love. May nothing come between us, between our approach to You made in Jesus, by the Spirit, nothing separate nor spoil our relationship, no evil defeat, or even waylay us. Let us draw fullness of life from the One who is life everlasting, our Redeemer Saviour, our Fortifier by the Holy Spirit as He helps us to keep attentive at prayer, firm in our intentions. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe” (Proverbs 18 V 10) when hearing and responding to the Spirit’s call made in the Lord Jesus to follow Him as Your way, Your truth and Your life gifted us, Father God. Dearest Father, as the Lord Jesus calls us to Himself and the Spirit enables this to happen, You are closer than we imagine or perhaps even hope for. You are our Saviour Father, thank You, I praise You. May the Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts, minds, wills and consciences according to this truth, thereby ever inspiring us in our friendship with the Lord Jesus, Your Son, our King, manifesting all holiness. “Let Your salvation, O God, set us upon high. We will praise the name of God with a song”, (based on Psalm 69 v 29) the name of You as a Trinity of Three all loving, ever merciful Persons, at work together being our Saviour and Sanctifier. Life is richly blessed by You, Father of love, through the Lord Jesus, by the Spirit of faith, of hope, of peace, of joy, all because He is Your Spirit of love. “We will praise Your name Lord God, with a song of thanksgiving to magnify You,” (based on v 30) for I know for sure - this is Your promise – all who seek You shall find. “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by You... and I will bring you back from Your captivity.” (Jeremiah 29 v 13, 14) It is the Lord Jesus who rescues us from sin and satan, from damnation and eternal final separation. “For I will turn their mourning into joy...” (Jeremiah 31 v 13) This is the Spirit led joy of our turning to Jesus as the bedrock and cornerstone of our faith’s trust and dependency upon You, Father God, our comfort and re-assurance in deliverance. That “My people shall be satisfied with My goodness” (v 14)You say. Thus we are called by the Spirit of hope. May nothing or no-one impair our prayerful listening, hearing and learning as the Lord Jesus, Your Word of life and offer of all loving mercy, addresses us personally as we pray. We are called to be followers who are Kingdom builders. Let us then spread effectively the best news ever, that of our new life gifted in the Lord Jesus, as the Spirit gradually equips and enables our discipleship to be full of favour and zeal. Zeal for the mission of extension; holy love the power, the method, the means and the graced intention even to the working of miracles when we proclaim Christ’s name. This name carries the fullest of blessing, the saving help of the Trinity of love and mercy, redeeming and restoring us to every grace and favour. The Spirit impresses this upon us, the Lord Jesus being our focus. May we daily seek to find, ask to receive, pray to obey, living to be ever giving of the life and love of the Lord Jesus, as imparted to us by the Spirit, a foretaste of heavenly glory. Herein is life which, when graced by the fellowship of the Lord Jesus, is placed above the everyday strife of sins’ disruption and confusion. May we never lose heart in this, our fresh start. Jesus has come to save us, sending the Holy Spirit to sanctify us in the glorious fullness of the love of the Trinity. Our calling is to extend the kingdom of love where mercy knows no bounds nor limits. Such blessing being new every morning, let us praise and thank You, holy Father, building our life in truth, on truth, with truth so Your glory shines upon us, through our worship in Jesus, Spirit led. Amen. 03.08.20 Sue O’Donnell

The Magi travelled far. They followed a star, Undertaking a lengthy journey Intent upon discovery. They spoke to the King. What did this bring? His desperate consternation And sadly destruction within the nation. The Magi were informed A new King was to be born And this happens in Bethlehem. So they travelled on again. They were rewarded, Success was afforded. They found their destination, Joy was their acclamation. They saw a toddler, no longer a Baby, Safely at home with His mother Mary. Somehow they recognised majesty For they fell to their knees. They worshipped Him, And this does begin The reign of the new King Sent from heaven to bring Peace to the earth In a Saviour’s birth. Priceless gifts came from the Magi Intent upon raising Him high. The question is for us Who is this One called Christ Jesus? Will we go a mile or two or more To find what He comes to life for? Creator Father, it seems rather strange that only Saint Matthew refers to the visit of the Magi. But I suppose as an ardent evangelist, he was keen to show how the birth of the Lord Jesus was not just that which was promised to Israel, but is for all people. It is Your plan that everybody, be they Jew or Gentile, anybody who receives the GOOD NEWS of Christ Jesus born as Saviour of the world, enjoy Your promise of blessings because we belong to You through Your Son. Thank You for all the joys of the Christmas season. Thank You too for yesterday, the Feast Day of the Epiphany when we celebrate the revelation gifted to us as Jesus is the Light of the world. How wonderful! We are invited to believe in the life giving power of holy love! Amen. 07.01.21 Sue O’Donnell

“Come into His presence with songs of joy.” (Psalm 100 v 2) Come, in your brokenness. Come, in your sickness. Come, in your sinfulness. Come, with Jesus, meet. Come, greet Him. Come, this time is sweet. “He is good. His love is everlasting. His faithfulness endures from age to age.” (Psalm 100 v 5) Come, in need of generosity. Come, in need of mercy. Come, burdened by iniquity. Come, with adoration. Come, in veneration. Come, with dedication. “May I receive the Lord’s body and blood, and its reality and power.” (From a prayer of St Thomas Aquinas) Come, seeking enlightenment. Come, it is your entitlement. Come, Jesus is heaven sent. Come, with determined purpose. Come, expressing real remorse. Come, with contrition, of course. “King God, may I receive the body of Your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ ...and so be received into His mystical body.” (Prayer continued) Come, receive the Lord Jesus. Come, share in His holiness. Come, how He does bless us! Come, to the Holy Eucharist. Come, a feast not to be missed. Come, Jesus offers us wholeness. “Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage, I now receive Your beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see Him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with You forever. Amen.” (Prayer concluded) “Let me have for all eternity peace upon peace, that through You I may reach that peace which passes all understanding, where I may see You in the joy of eternity.” (St Gertrude the Great 1256 -1302) Oh the immeasurable gain through receiving the cleansing, healing, nourishing Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, it is actually inestimable. Truly I thank You, dearest Father. You gift us life through Jesus and His † of forgiveness recalled at the Eucharist, life in all fullness now just as our Saviour promised us, and an eternity in the blessings of Your company. “For me to live in Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1 v 21) It saddens me that so many people do not enjoy this privilege simply because they did not seek to find the meaning and purpose of life, making their discovery through Jesus. Lord, through the life and death of our Saviour Brother, in union with His Most Sacred Heart and divine Blood and the holy sacrifice of the Eucharist, I offer myself to You. Thank You that forgiveness allows this. We are loved and forgiven, cherished as family, the adopted brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus. “The LORD reigns: Let the earth rejoice...at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.” (Psalm 97 v 1, 5) The righteousness of the Lord Jesus we claim as ours Lord God, so gaining right standing in Your sight, we experience “Light sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart.” (v 11) “Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness,” (Psalm 100 v 1, 2) realising what an honour of the highest order it is to be enabled to do this. Thank You for the amazing grace of righteousness. May we put this to best use by becoming willing, hard working, reverent workers, the Lord Jesus’ co-workers striving to extend His kingdom of love and mercy, of justice and peace for everyone. Although a servant, You are so concerned for our wellbeing Father. May we come to understand that we must seek to live honourably, correct at all times, then You can bless us with all that is necessary to prosper in life. May we take no grace, no privilege, no favour for granted, realising all benefits and blessings were won for us by the Lord Jesus at the †, then risen, ascended and glorified, He sends us His Spirit. May we be open and receptive to the Spirit of life, who shares with us each and every aspect of the all loving life of our Brother, so as to impact upon us and influence us for good, always. “Come into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His name,” (Psalm 100 v 4) Your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one Lord of love in a Trinity. We exalt and esteem You Father God, each time we partake of holy communion, the Holy Spirit miraculously changing the works of our hands, the bread and wine, into the Body and Blood of Jesus. In the Eucharist the Lord Jesus’ real presence is with us hidden under the form of bread and wine. How astonishing! “The LORD is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100 v 5) “Honour and majesty” are set before us. “Strength and gladness,” (1 Chronicles 16 v 27) belonging to the Trinity. This is our claim. “Give to the LORD, O families of the people” (v 28) one family when adopted by Jesus. He is the Lord of Glory and we become the subjects of a King, the Lord of lords and King of kings, the highest One of renown in all heaven and earth. “Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!” (v 29) for not only is it right to do so, herein is our deepest peace and highest joy, a profound contentment heaven sent. “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations” – for it is true for all believers in Christ Jesus, our anointed King – “ ‘The LORD reigns’.” (v 31) No longer are we in bondage to satan, praise be. “ ‘Who do you say that I am’?” (Luke 9 v 20) is the most significant question we will ever be asked. May the Spirit of faith enable us to reply without hesitation, claiming with praise and thanksgiving “The Christ of God.” (v 26) Thank You for our gain by the sacrifice made at the †of forgiveness. Thank You for all the blessings of grace and mercy which gift us unity, peace and safety now into eternity. The Lord Jesus assures us that as He is the sacrificial Lamb, “ ‘Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood’,” making Him actually able to live within us, oh what a miracle! Then the recipient “ ‘Has eternal life, and I will raise him (her) up at the last day’.” (John 6 v 54) We partake in the covenant blood of Christ Jesus, to be joined to You, dearest Father, blessed by the work of the Spirit, and we receive the benefits of a lifetime and beyond. How marvellously we are provided for, thank You. It is such an honour to become partakers of the divine nature “...having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1 v 4) We have become a new creation entirely, all thanks to the holy life and death of Jesus and the holiness of the anointing Spirit. “It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life’,” (John 6 v 63) the promised life in all fullness. This is our faith. This is our Eucharist, our reception of the Word of life who is the King of Glory. This is our hope which is decided. This then is our peace and our joy. How truly wonderful are the works of Your hands Lord God. “’No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him (her) by My Father’.” (v 65) Thank You for the mercies of Your love, our healing by forgiveness. “Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name!...And forget not all His benefits,” (Psalm 103 v 1, 2) Your ever present kindness through Jesus and the Spirit, so beneficial for us. Forgiving us, it is Your merciful love which redeems us from the hell of final, total separation, that same love which “Crowns with loving kindness and tender mercies,” (v 4) who more than satisfies us by the new life gifted in Jesus. All thanks, all praise, all glory ever be now and eternally. May we ever “Let the kingdom of heaven and living in a right relationship with You, Lord God, be our priorities, then everything else we need will be given us as well.” (based on Matthew 6 v 33 The Truth) Thank You so much for each and every grace, blessing and favour as gifted us in the Lord Jesus, by the Spirit, notably at the Eucharist. Amen. 24.08.20 Sue O’Donnell

Surely an artist’s treasure store of ideas Peaks at Christmas in the season’s glorious richness? Sometimes the pictures are humorous, cute or meaningful. Others reveal scenes which are wondrous, really beautiful, Often with the embellishment of gold and silver, And wintery views that make us shiver! Some cards carry messages, Cute, pertinent or nostalgic. Other cards make us think of magic. Robins are of course, iconic, Snowmen, reindeer and Father Christmas too, All add plenty to a card’s effectiveness. A sledge ride over sparkling white countryside, Angels above in the night sky messengers who do not hide, Snowflakes fast falling, glittering and glistening Adding to the hope of Christmas morning. The artist depicts a scene most atmospheric. But nothing, nothing can eclipse the wonder Of the holy Baby born to God’s choice of His mother Mary. To paint the picture of the Nativity, The stable where the Child is born in poverty, Here is the real message of Christmas depicted An iconic scene standing for true happiness. “ ‘...Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel’.” (Luke 2 v 30, 31) The Spirit of Christmas Requires the Spirit of holiness. Why exactly is this? Because the Spirit of holiness Prepares us to be ready To receive One, God’s Son, Who is not merely our Brother, He is the perfectly holy, God gifted, Divine Healer. Jesus is our Saviour. The Spirit of Christmas Will offer the truest, The fullest and the everlasting, Aboundingly joyous happiness. We discover this by friendship. The Spirit of holiness Opens our eyes to see How we need to be holy, And how we accomplish this By turning to Christ Jesus. He is love, perfect love, Pure gift from heaven above. He comes to all who believe Whatever colour or culture, As long as a person Is a firm believer in Christ Jesus. Believers know why He comes, Jesus comes to bring peace To an unsettled, hostile world Greedy to self serve. We deserve no favour, None whatsoever! But entirely out of God’s mercy, Our Father of love and steadfast kindness Will send Christ Jesus to us. The Spirit of Christmas Prepares us for this royal Baby, Such an honoured Guest, Son of God, the Child of Mary. Jesus comes to dwell In and amongst us As our forever Saviour, our treasure. “ ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men’!” (Luke 2 v 14) “His name was called JESUS, the name given by an angel before He was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2 v 21 All praise, thanks and glory ever, ever be, to the Spirit of Christmas, that very Spirit who conceives Jesus to bring about a virgin birth, gifting the world Your Son, dearest Father. The Spirit of Christmas reminded Luke how the angels had appeared the night our Saviour was born, and shepherds about their normal work, who received the message, believed and acted. “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us? And they came with haste...” (Luke 2 v 15, 16) May the Spirit of Christmas be our conviction regarding Christ Jesus born to us, an invitation to believe and hope. Amen. 15.12.20 Sue O’Donnell

Does not a closed door Make you want to explore, Push open to see what is inside? Or what about when you are inside, And somebody outside knocks Hoping to gain entry to talk? There is a well known anecdote To this effect about the Lord Jesus. You are on the inside. Politely He waits on the outside, Hoping you will invite Him in To begin the most meaningful conversation You are ever likely to have, believe me! Or better still, try for yourself to see. The important thing here in this story, Although the Lord God is near to you in Christ Jesus, There is only one handle on the door, And that is on the inside, where you are. You can understand the implications? You have to open the door to your Brother, He who comes to you as your Saviour, The Healer, Repealer of all that is wrong. Wrong for us, wrong because of You, Wrong in spite of your best efforts. Jesus as Lord, as Saviour, as Master, Comes to right all the wrongs of humanity. ‘Impossible’, you may say! But this is not true, not for me, nor you. Jesus comes not to judge nor condemn us, But to save us from any, many a disaster, Chaos and calamity, any unhappy situation. What we need to do, now today and then everyday, Is to pray, open the door which is a barrier. Then enjoy the breakthrough that will happen for you. For the Lord Jesus will fail none of us, Who invite Him inside to our life To reside with us by the Spirit of holiness. All manner of help will be given And your faith in Christ Jesus will begin to flourish. I can absolutely guarantee this! True happiness comes directly from heaven. It is awarded freely, graciously not earned nor merited. “Let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy.” (Psalm 5 v 11 NLT) “Those who live by wisdom demonstrate that to be the right way to live.” (Luke 7 v 35 The Truth) This is one of the things You do for us, Lord Jesus. It is always beneficial to resort to Your wisdom. Therein is our safety and security, thank You. Your wisdom is a part of the power of Your love so readily shown to us to overcome our carelessness, stupidity and cruelty in ignoring You. May Your holy wisdom, the truth we must live by, reign supreme. Thank You for the love You show us, Your very own Spirit, our Father’s Spirit of love able to make us responsive and open the door to You. May we do this daily until we reach the stage whereby we would not dream of starting the day without a time of prayer. When we pray we learn more about Your love because Your Spirit teaches us, informs and counsels us. I am so grateful for this help. It is important because we are told to seek Your kingdom first, before all else. This is because “Those who long for righteousness are blessed, because they will be filled with God’s life.” (Matthew 5 v 6 The Truth) Lord Jesus, You are that life to us. It is through You our Father says “ ‘I have sworn by My own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on My word,” (Isaiah 45 v 23 NLT) which is the promise of salvation. When we open the door of our heart and mind, will and conscience to invite You to enter, we meet with our Father as Deliverer. You are our Saviour Redeemer, the Healer working on His behalf. This is love, true love! You are our new life filled with hope of heaven. You are our fullness of peace and joy now, here in this Your kingdom upon earth, as established by love, with love. for the sake of love. What an honour and privilege it is to be called to share in this love. Your love put into active service, gifts daily life with its fullest meaning and purpose, thank You. You offer us Your Spirit of love to enable us to let go of our right or wants or wishes, to put ego behind us. For then we make room for You, Lord Jesus. May we never fail in this. Redemption calls for genuine love in action and as a re-action at all times. In this way, You alive in us, by the Holy Spirit, is more powerful by far than the one who tries to rule us. Thank You for dealing with sin by enabling us to repent remorsefully, put the past behind us, change course and live by the power of Your love for us. This love is the same as our Father’s love, shaped by merciful forgiveness as the starting point. Thank You that we need never be afraid to turn to You for help and healing. You have lived like us in all things but sin, so readily identify with all our worries and woes. You ask us to hand these over to You, and as we learn to do this, what a sense of peace we feel, thank You. Where You are, love is. You live in us, through us when we understand this and work and pray to this end. Please keep sending us the Spirit of loved to encourage, direct, guide and accomplish. You are the love our Father wants to show us, incarnate and living. We are not left alone far from home, because in our own strength and resolve, we would never find virtue. You are our virtue when we emulate how You live and speak graciously at all times. “He presented Himself as a Saviour rather than merely as a Teacher.” (Archbishop Sheen) Why did You do this Lord? The Holy Spirit furnishes answer: “It meant nothing to teach men to be good unless He also gave them the power to be good, after rescuing them from the frustration of guilt.” (Cont) How amazing it is once we realise this, seeing and hearing the consistent truth of all You do and say coherently, helping us to understand who You are. You are the way we are to live, the truth we are to live by and the life we can offer in worship to delight our Father. We have opened the door to such a blessing! Our faith is credible, we as Your body are being made holy and we have the sacraments to aid us. All of this is confirmed by Your personal holiness. Thank You again and again and again for offering to share this with us and for gifting us the Holy Spirit to ensure we make good progress in living up to Your standard. You are our right standing before the throne of mercy, for You are holy, loving and compassionate, just like our Father and the life giving Spirit. Today just as when You lived, You continue to deal with evil successfully, ensure our forgiveness for wrong doing and offer us the healing help of new life building love, brought us by Your Spirit. Lord Jesus, You are life to us! You quieten the storms within life. You help us whenever we are down, perplexed, concerned. Your loving work of salvation famed throughout the world and rightly so. “Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.” (Psalm 96 v 3 NLT) Let us do so! For by love You created us. together with our Father and the Spirit, that we know love. “Yes, give praise, O Servants of the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever.” (Psalm 113 v 1, 2 NLT) as a Trinity who are our Saviour. “Everywhere – from east to west – praise the name of the LORD.” (v 3) May we ever spread the fame of Your love through our efforts to evangelise, always calling upon the Holy Spirit of power to make You known and loved, renowned, praised and glorified. It is in opening the door to invite You to come in and take charge of our life so we become reverent through obedience and fidelity, that we hope to become a part of Your glory. Your love alive in us is the hope of this glory. As we recognise Your wisdom and power of authority may we ever thank, praise and honour You, all to God’s glory and the Holy Spirit’s satisfaction. Then one day, we know not how far away thankfully, we hope to hear You say at life’s end: “ ‘You have done well. You are a good and faithful servant. You have proved Your faithfulness in a small way; now I will give you much more responsibility. Come and share in your Master’s joy!” (Matthew 25 v 21 The Truth.) Lord Jesus, You are our eternal happiness. You come to us as soon as we open the door of faith to invite You in. Please stay with us always. You alone acting as a Trinity, are the answer to all of the world’s difficulties. Thank You for being who You are, our Brother yet our Saviour, God’s living Word abiding in and amongst us, the glorified One, risen and ascended so able to send us Your very own Spirit. How greatly You enrich life for us. Truly we praise and thank You for becoming our highest, fullest worship. May Your love alive in us ever delight our Father. Amen. 02.02.21 Sue O’Donnell

An open doorway will display An invitation to exploration, just one way. Whilst who knows what there will be Behind a door that is closed firmly? Is a closed door designed to be a barrier? Or maybe remains closed because you are a worrier. Nobody as yet, has bothered to help you. But faith holds a doorway open to you. The One to open it up is the Lord Jesus. But first, He has to be asked by you to do this. Jesus will not come unless you invite Him in. Then, whilst standing the other side of the door, He waits for you to push the door open. It may be ever so slightly, for you are apprehensive as yet But this does not matter, a little open is sufficient. For Jesus, the Master, God’s sent Saviour, His life is a mission, Will always respond to all who seek a belief. And if you have done this already to your relief, Leaving the door to Him permanently open, Then the friendship you find will deepen. This is God’s promise and certainly is true, God seeks out regularly both me and you, Just as we consciously seek to find Him. In seeking and finding does our worthwhile journey begin. A journey exciting, inspiring, rewarding, For it is towards God’s eternal company we are moving. You even now in faith are travelling. The journey may pass slowly or maybe enduring, But the discovery as you reach the destiny Has to be of true significance, that of the Trinity. Faith is a process which is excitingly exploratory, With a beginning, but no end for we gain eternity. It is up to heaven the Spirit will us send, Whatever you do, do not miss the way in the end. The way opens up before us whenever we pray. There is but one main reason and this I must say That the discovery of God’s Son is life’s gain. Prayer is a doorway pushed open to ever remain, For we are honoured when on bended knee! The love of our Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a Trinity, His Spirit the means by which we can focus. Learning whilst seeking in the name of Jesus For in the Spirit you can help another, The importance of faith to discover. Jesus as Friend Beloved and Saviour Such a gift of God, us to savour. To push open faith’s door was all we did. Of fear, distress and anxiety we got rid. So if you stand one side of faith’s door Be not afraid to open and explore. The means of gaining with God a relationship Ever was, ever will be Jesus’ own friendship. Lord, the famous painting of Christ Jesus standing outside a door without a knocker, is showing us that we need to invite our Saviour Brother into our life. We have to push open this door to let the excitement of seeking and finding true and eternal meaning to life begin. May Your Spirt always help us with this, for it is essential if we are to learn to pray and gain answers as to why we are here. Please keep us praying, seeking and finding the truth the Lord Jesus comes to share with us. Amen. 21.07.20 Sue O’Donnell