Endings - Written Treasure

“Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. And when this letter is read among you, had it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, ‘Take head to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfil it.’ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.” Colossians 4:16-18

When you write something down, you leave a bit of you behind for others to share. In fact, one of the most precious treasures I have is letters from others: my Mom and Dad, my little brother and his wife; dear, dear special friends, people who I’ve worked with over the years. I save their written words to read again and again and savour the friendships and the lessons learned from them...and I remember their love and times we spent together. That is what God wants us to do with His wonderful Word to us.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the States. Ongoing prayer requests: Reg’s ministry, Gary (lost his job on Sunday), doctors caring for: David, Adrian, Randy and Michael. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again).

Endings - Thank You & you

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philippians 4:19-23

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” 1:6

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which to choose.” 1:21-22

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” 2:13

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 4:8

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 4:13

Sometimes a holiday occurs when I’m in the middle of a series. I struggle to interrupt the series, but then God knew where I was to be today. Happy Thanksgiving – for me today - for you tomorrow. No holiday is more important to me other than Easter and Christmas. A time to remember how blessed and fortunate I am in this world no matter what circumstances I find myself in!

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Ongoing prayer requests: Reg’s ministry, Gary (lost his job on Sunday), doctors caring for: David, Adrian, Randy and Michael. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again).

Endings - Friends

“But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.” Ephesians 6:21-24

True friends are rare and can grow to be as close as family sometimes. What a treasure that can be! No matter how long you live, no matter where you go or what you do, true friends are always there hoping for your best, sharing their lives and love with you. You see God knew we would all need family and friends to learn about dependence and independence. It is a life long journey; and always better shared with others.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for [times of] adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Ongoing prayer requests: Reg’s ministry, Gary (lost his job on Sunday), doctors caring for: David, Adrian, Randy and Michael. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again).

Endings - Branding Scars

“But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.” Galatians 6:14-18

Do you have a scar somewhere on your body? Most of us do. Most times they’re from accidents. Yet even now, looking at the scar you may be able to remember the pain and events that led to it. I have a long scar on my index finger from when I was about eight and tried to open a glass Coke bottle that broke in my hand. First of all, I wasn’t supposed to have the Coke and second, I was trying to open the bottle in a wrong way.

The scar reminds me there’s always a reason to be obedient. What about your scar(s)? Do they remind you of something or mark a time in your life? Was there a lesson there for you that the scar helps you remember? Christ puts His mark in our hearts to remember Him and it helps others recognise us as a new creation.

“...always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body....Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come.” II Corinthians 4:10, 5:17

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New: Please pray for Gary who will lost his job on Sunday. Ongoing prayer requests: Reg’s ministry, doctors caring for: David, Adrian, Randy and Michael. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again).

Endings - Tonic

“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” II Corinthians 13:11-14

A tonic is a medicine that increases strength, energy and general wellbeing. It refreshes and invigorates. Also the it’s the first note of a music scale that a “key” sound is based upon. It is also a way of producing tension, especially muscular tension – so think of biceps and triceps – you need both for proper coordinated movement. And here is a tonic in God’s Word.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New: Please pray for Gary who will lost his job on Sunday. Ongoing prayer requests: Reg’s ministry, doctors caring for: David, Adrian, Randy and Michael. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again).

Endings - Assignment: Personally...

“The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The greeting is in my own hand – Paul. If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Maranatha. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” I Corinthians 16:19-21

Reading these verses, got me thinking about the value of hand-writing personal notes to others. Assignment: think of just one person who needs encouragement. Write and mail them something meaningful. See how the Lord may use it in your and their lives... and let me know what happens, if you have a moment to share.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New: Please pray for Gary who will lose his job on Sunday. Ongoing prayer requests: Reg’s ministry, doctors caring for: David, Adrian and Randy. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again), Adrian’s friend is growing stronger.

Endings - The Secret?

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 16:25-27

Six million copies of a book called, “The Secret” have been sold (probably more by now). It is about the law of attracting success and all good things to you and repelling bad things from you by the power of self-will and determination. Oprah loves it, and so many “celebrities/leaders” sing its praises – yet, the only true Secret is within one sacred Book, that has -- since its first printing -- sold more copies than all other books -- yet few read it. Could that be “the secret”?

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New: Please pray for Gary who will lose his job on Sunday. Ongoing prayer requests: Reg’s ministry, doctors caring for: David, Adrian and Randy. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again), Adrian’s friend is growing stronger.

Endings - Delayed?

“And when he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.) And he [Paul] stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” Acts 28:29-31

“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.’ And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’” Romans 11:25-27

I heard the most amazing sermon once about why God continues to delay His return. It was based on these two verses and explained that the “fullness of the Gentiles” was still to be realised.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: On going prayer requests: Adrian as he nurses a dear one in his life. Reg’s ministry. Doctors caring for: David, Adrian and Randy. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again), Gregg sold his home in the UK.

Endings - Left Behind

“This is the disciple who bears witness of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his witness is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books which were written.” John 21:24-25

“For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.” Acts 22:15

There are many ways to share the Good News of Christ’s gracious gift with others; one of them is writing. Writing can create a legacy gift for others. However, did you know that only about 7-10% of the books that are purchased are actually read? The Bible remains the most widely purchased, but may be less read than JK Rowlings, Ophre Winfrey, Stephen Covey or Dan Brown. If I was Satan that would please me a great deal. Sometimes people will write me to say that they don’t have time to read this short devotion and I worry about this but know God has a plan....

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28


Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: On going prayer requests: Adrian as he nurses a dear one in his life. Reg’s ministry. Doctors caring for: David, Adrian and Randy. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again), Gregg sold his home in the UK.

Endings With Loved Ones

“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came about that while He was blessing them, He parted from them. And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising God.” Luke 24:50-53

Bethany seemed a special place for Jesus. He had many friends there and was loved by many in that place; in contrast to other places He travelled through where He was not always welcome. Lazarus was there, living a new resurrected life; Mary and Martha were there, sisters who learned the value of serving and listening; Simon the leper lived there, healed and whole now, and another Mary lived there so shunned by others for her life of ill repute. All these Jesus loved and when He knew He had little time left, He went to Bethany for their unknowing support.

“Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary therefore took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:1-3

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: On going prayer requests: Adrian as he nurses a dear one in his life. Reg’s ministry. Doctors caring for: David, Adrian and Randy. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia. Praise: Lyle’s brother (out of hospital, learning to stand again), Gregg sold his home in the UK

Endings - Just A Little

“So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the Word by the sighs that followed.” Mark 16:19-20

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ And He said the them, ‘Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.’” Matthew 17:19-20

God’s Word alone is powerful and just needs to be delivered. Ever struggle with memory verses? Yes, me too. The point is there is great and current wisdom in His Word; if we can casually or openly drop His Word into our conversation, He knows what He might accomplish with it in another’s heart.

“So shall my Word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: On going prayer requests: Adrian as he nurses a dear one in his life. Reg’s ministry. Doctors caring for Lyle’s brother (he’s out of hospital now & learning to stand again), David, Adrian and Randy. Praise: Gregg sold his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project to come through for me in Australia.

Endings - Go!

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go Therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

There are many interesting, end of book “blessings” in the Bible. Here’s the first in the New Testament. We are to GO, not because we can, but because that is a COMMAND! We don’t have to GO anywhere in particular, we can go shopping, we can reach across a table in a cafe, we can go to the wilds of the darkest corner of His earth – anywhere individuals need to know more about God’s love. We can even use other ways to GO (such as this little daily e-mail) or writing a sweet little greeting card or calling someone who may need encouragement. And we NEVER go alone!

“How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of Good things!’” Romans 10:13-15

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: For the many who have been praying and sending me emails of encouragement, thank you so much. There was a fiddly technical problem and I finally realised that perhaps I should just stop struggling with it and wait on the Lord. On going prayer requests: Reg’s ministry. Doctors caring for Lyle’s brother (he’s better, but is still unable to stand), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project that may be coming through for me in Australia!

Word Worship

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said...” Genesis 1:1-2a

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1-2

“’You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life.” John 5:39-40

I love God’s Word. Sometimes people misunderstand Christians who take time to study their Bible because it seems pointless in such a modern world. I mean, how COULD the Bible be relevant today? Yet, if you just read it you can see that God inspired men to write in such a way that His Word can point us to Him. But the Word is not God, it is the means to see Him and His provision of grace.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: For the many who have been praying and sending me emails of encouragement, thank you so much. There was a fiddly technical problem and I finally realised that perhaps I should just stop struggling with it and wait on the Lord. On going prayer requests: Reg’s ministry. Doctors caring for Lyle’s brother (he’s better, but is still unable to stand), David, Adrian and Randy. Gregg to sell his home in the UK. The Kossallys and me during some big changes. For a new project that may be coming through for me in Australia!