From 2020 to 2021

Holy Spirit, as I live this day, do not take me far away, but give me the strength to live and thrive

As I cling to Jesus’ glorious side.

Let me live in your grace and abundant love, and hear your whispers from my Father above

That all I do, and all I say, will be to honor you.

Today for me is a brand-new day, a day that you have made, for nothing’s changed except a number, where a zero became a one!

One with the Father, One with the Son, One with Holy Spirit, we become One.

Though sickness may come and knock at the door…

Though wars, upon wars, may rock homeland and distant shores…

Child of God remember, the battle is the Lords!

To take up our cross and follow you! To fight the good fight this is what we will do!

To live and love in surrender to you…

Holy Spirit, lead us to the Holy of Holies, hide us in your sanctuary, give us Godly wisdom to face each new day, hear our cries when we bow to pray…

Make us faithful soldiers in this holy war…

Where Christ is seen and peace is restored…

To love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us for righteousness sake,

May we turn the other cheek; keep us humble and meek…

For strength is not in iron nor steel…and love is not in how we feel…

When weak we are strong in you, love conquers sin, it’s in trusting in the living God

Whereby we, win!

So, let me start this brand-new year upon my knees with flowing tears…

To live and love and laugh and give, all my life and all my fears to the one who died for me…

Faith is not seeing…faith is knowing…there’s only One, who can set me free…

One with the Father, One with the Son, One with the Holy Spirit…is how life is Won!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 1, 2021

Luke 6:27-36

New International Version

Love for Enemies

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.