My school friends and I never quite knew what it meant when the headmaster would unexpectedly pay our class a visit. Did he have something nice to say or had he come to tell us off?In 1 Samuel 16, we see that the elders of the town of Bethlehem had the same sense of apprehension regarding Samuel’s visit. Had Samuel (God’s prophet) come with good news or bad news?  Had he brought a message of peace or had he come to rebuke them? (1 Samuel 16:4) What they would soon discover of course was that Samuel had come in peace – that he had come with the very good news that God was raising up Jesse of Bethlehem’s son, David, to be the next king in Israel. Samuel had brought good news and so there was no need for them to be afraid!As we reflect upon the message of peace and goodwill that Samuel brought as he entered Bethlehem, we cannot but think of the message of peace and goodwill that David’s Greater Son,  Jesus, brought to all mankind as He entered Jerusalem 1000 years later (Zechariah 9:9-10; John 12:15). As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He came with the good news that God does not want anyone to perish because of their sin, but that instead He wants all men to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). He came with the message that in Him – in God’s anointed King – they could find forgiveness for their sins and peace with God.How could this be? Well, because like Samuel, Jesus also came to offer a sacrifice, He’d come not to offer a heifer as Samuel had (1 Samuel 16:2) but to offer Himself to God in payment for our sin, and so remove the barrier that prevents us from knowing peace with God – Hallelujah!Today let us thank God that we don’t need to be afraid! Let us thank God that Jesus came and has brought us a message of peace and goodwill from God – a message of peace for all nations (Zechariah 9:10); a message that says that all who trust in Jesus Christ and in His atoning sacrifice upon the cross will be saved (John 3:16). Amen!

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him
Who brings good news, good news
Proclaiming peace, announcing news of happiness
Our God reigns, our God reigns

Chorus:
Our God reigns, our God reigns
Our God reigns, our God reigns
Notices and Points for PrayerWe thank God for our brother Andrew Norbury’s visit on Sunday. How good it was to be reminded of the reasons why we as God’s people don’t need to be fearful in the face of life’s pressures and difficulties. How good to be reminded that these reasons can be relied upon because they are all to do with the unchanging character of God. Hallelujah!Let us continue to pray for one another at this time – that we will all know the sustaining and empowering of God by His Spirit. Please pray particularly for those who are unwell or are walking alongside those who are suffering.Diane John was admitted to Morriston Hospital over the weekend and has undergone surgery to her ankle. Whilst we cannot visit her, we can pray for her and encourage her by writing to her. She is on Ward B, Morriston Hospital, Heol Maes Eglwys, Morriston, Cwmrhydyceirw, Swansea, SA6 6NL. As we thank God for the recent ruling that the holding of biblical beliefs regarding sex and gender are protected by the Equality Act, let us continue to pray for all those who are being persecuted or discriminated against for righteousness sake.Let us continue to pray for our leaders and governing officials. Let us pray that they will not only be led to enact “good” laws but that they will be saved – for the glory of God!
Every blessingRich PS – I’ve attached a poem by Annie Johnson Flint which someone sent to me this week. I hope it will bless you as it has me x– 
Richard Jenkins 1cor6v11@gmail.com; 07761979015

One Day at a Time (Annie Johnson Flint)

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.

One day at a time – but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
“Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave.”

Not yesterday’s load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow’s uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.

Deuteronomy 33:25 …and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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