Is New Year in September

It’s the first of September today. The Jewish new year starts around this time. The tradition is to look back on the past year with thanks to God and reflection on what didn’t go well. They look forward to a new year with no regrets and learn from their failings. They leave their burdens with The Lord, and enter into the new year with hope.

I agree with this outlook. Often we are weighed down with guilt and despair with ongoing problems not changing. We go to a counsellor. Our problems are regurgitated, and poured out to someone who is paid to listen. The failings are stamped deeper in one’s brain. They will resurface again in times of loneliness of stress.

We live in an age when mental illness is rife. Waiting rooms in hospitals are filled with distressed people, physically and emotionally, waiting for hours to be seen by a doctor.

Why not spend thirty minutes to an hour in a Church. It will be more fruitful than ten hours in a hospital waiting room or weeks attending a counsellor.

God promises to be with His people. Where two or three are gathered He is present. You may meet someone there to share your problems with. It will not cost any money. When we tell our failings to God like the Jews God forgives and doesn’t remember them any more. The problem can be one doesn’t forgive oneself and chews over the situation.

Have this mentality. Release the ingrained thoughts of failures and remember them no more. God doesn’t remember them so why should you.

Happy New Year

Good Friday Agreements

In the last few weeks there have been many meetings, plays, movies and documentaries to remember the Good Friday Agreement made twenty five years ago in Northern Ireland. The present President Biden of America visited Belfast to acknowledge the Agreement. Former President Clinton and his wife Hilary came for three days.

The Agreement brought about an end to fighting with guns and bombs in Northern Ireland. The way forward for peace was a policital way.

The Agreement in Belfast was reached on Good Friday all those years ago. Often Man’s agreements are broken. A generation has been born in our country who do not know we had war for thirty years. How will they know unless we tell them.

We remember Good Friday for two thousand years because of another Agreement. Jesus suffered and was crucified on that day.

I am reading this morning from a book, the New Testament. It is about Jesus and His Agreement he promised for anyone who believes that he lived on the earth. He came to show God our Father to us.

He spent His last evening on earth with His friends. He shared a cup of wine and said, “This wine is a token of God’s new covenant to save you, an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.”.

Today, two thousand years later many people all over the world take wine and bread to remember Jesus death and promise to save us from death and eternal hell.

Why do we need Jesus? Because we need rescued from the power of the devil, our sinful nature and the enticements of this world. I testify to the power of the Blood of Jesus. It forgave my sins and healed me from fourth stage cancer. I did not die. I am not in the grave. His blood healed my disease. Jesus agreement is not broken.

He did not buy our freedom with gold. No He paid for it with His blood poured out from his head, his hands and his feet and side. His promise still speaks as we remember His death when we share the bread and wine today.

Will you take up Jesus offer of deliverance from evil and death? Will you reach out and agree with Jesus offer of life on this earth and in the life hereafter?

I hear the words of a song in my mind. They are, “I know where I’m going. I know who is going with me.” Do you know where you are going?

Throat Cancer Healed

It was a beautiful warm morning. Brendan and I went for a drive to Newcastle Co Down on Sunday last. We stopped at Dundrum market along the way. I remembered many days bringing our children there, walking around the stall holders and stopping for a chat. We ended the morning with sausages and chips. It was good to be back. Corona virus closed down the market for two years.

I met a man later in the day called Gordon. Brendan told him I was healed of cancer twelve years ago. He responded to say he had cancer eleven years ago. I wanted to hear more.

He was in hospital for tests. The doctor told him he had third stage throat cancer. He had a tumour the size of a walnut. The doctors said it was too difficult to operate. When Gordon heard what the doctors said he didn’t panic. He began to consider his situation. He wasn’t ready to die. He wanted to live but the doctor’s forecast was grim.

Gordon had been a preacher of the gospel in his youth. In his work place he found young men would come to him for advice. He would always be there to listen to their troubles and encourage them over their difficulties . He would nudge them towards Jesus.

Now he was in trouble. In Psalm 91 God’s Word promises He will be with you in trouble. With long life will I satisfy you. God reached down to Gordon in his hour of distress.

In the next weeks the tumour grew to the size of an orange. The doctors decided to operate even though there was a risk of interfering with important arteries to the brain. They removed the tumour.

Gordon showed me a photo taken after the operation. There were two long lines of staples across the side of his neck like the photo below. I looked for the scars. His wounds had healed and were barely visible. He endured further treatments in hospital. He had the will to live. Eleven years on he is healed of cancer. Because Gordon helped others in their troubles God reached down and helped him in his trouble.

I thought of the scripture, By his stripes you are healed. Jesus shed his blood from his wounds so our wounds can be healed. If we believe in the great physician we will be healed.

Gordon continues to have a listening ear to young men. He doesn’t condemn but helps each one practically and perhaps says a quiet prayer for them. God is faithful. As we live for Him he cares for us.

God not only died to forgive our sins, he heals and restores our lives. He helps us to live again despite despair and hardship. There is no other God who is merciful. He is worthy to be praised. Amen.

God will Defeat Kings Again

All over the world the Spirit is moving. As in Genesis 1 when the Holy Spirit moved over the earth when it was formless and empty and darkness covered the water, the Spirit of God is hovering again today.God is in heaven. The angels cry Holy is The Lord.

He defeated the King of Egypt, Pharoah with His power. He helped His people Israel defeat mighty kings, Sihon and Og. He helped Abraham defeat five kings. He is the same God yesterday,today and tomorrow.

Fear God and not earthly kings. Remember the Lord is great. He will defeat mighty kings again. Worship The Lord who made the heavens and the earth.

The chariots of God are tens of thousands. Millions of angels are at His command to help his people on the earth. Look up. Look into the unseen.

The One enthroned in heaven laughs at the nations’ plots. Psalm 2

Believe in His son Jesus and call on his name in time of trouble.

The Word


John 1 v 1 and 14. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He was full of grace and truth.


This weekend we celebrate Christmas, the day when we remember that Jesus, the Saviour of the world was born. He was a baby lying in a manger in a stable. That little baby is the Word of God made flesh.


Two thousand years later, is Christmas real for to us today? Is it just a time to eat, drink and meet with friends and family?


God left us His Word in the Scriptures. The New Testament tells us the stories about Jesus life and the stories written by witnesses who lived with him on earth. The power of God is in the Word of God that we read in the Bible.


It changed me. I was given a bible by a publican, Harry Mc Court. I had free time so I began to read it from Genesis to Revelation. The power of God changed my heart as I read it. The Word of God is the true Light that gives light to every man. The words I read were giving light and truth to my soul. I believed that Jesus is the truth from that time until now.


Perhaps you attend Church and you already believe in Jesus. Praise God. To grow in faith read the scriptures for yourself. It will enlighten you and show you what is true.


The bible is a small book. I can guarantee if you read it sincerely you will be changed. The power and light of God will touch you. What God has done for me He can do for you. Start out on your journey this Christmas. Meet the Word who became flesh, today.

Rulers and Authorities in the Unseen World.

We have all had our lives changed because of restrictions due to the spread of the Corona Virus. Tensions build up in the home when we don’t have the freedom we used to have. In a city in Northern Ireland the demand for rented homes according to an estate agent, has increased 50 %. There is not enough housing to meet the demand. It is caused by marriages breaking up. A new home is needed for the separated partner.

Why do we fight with one another, husbands against wives, children against parents? There is strife and no peace in our homes. It all becomes too much for the husband and father to look after and provide for his family. He is tempted to give up and leave. Why bother. His friend has left his wife and found another lady who agrees with him. “Why don’t I do the same. He is doing okay.”

The wife gives up trying to keep the family together. She complains “My husband never listens to me. He doesn’t understand. My children don’t listen to me! I hoped our lives would be better that this. I have done my best. I can’t go on any longer. All hope of things getting better is gone. I give up.”

Where is the love they had for each other at the beginning when there was only the two of them. They could have meals out together any time without arranging a baby sitter. They could have uninterrupted sleep. There were less bills to pay. No one else to disturb their peace.

The Word of God explains why all this is so. We fight not against each other but principalities and powers in heavenly places. Our husband is not the enemy. Our children are not the enemy. The devil and his fallen angels are the problem. He is at work to rob, steal and destroy our lives and families. He hates families.

All is not hopeless. There is someone who can help. There is a Redeemer. He understands the pressure we are under and he comes to set us free. His name is Jesus. He promises to care for us. He says he loves us. The Word of God says Jesus is the way the truth and the life. He came on earth to destroy the work of the devil,

When we believe in Jesus he sets us free from our sinful nature and then the evil powers of this world cannot hold us. Jesus begins to work in our lives to set us free from sins that have a grip on us. There is power in his name to deliver us from evil.

Isaiah says He was bruised for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquity and by his stripes we are healed. Jesus did it all when he died on the cross for us.

Psalm 103. Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits –
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.The devil tempts us to sin.

Don’t give up. Ask Jesus to come to help. He promises to forgive, heal and restore. He will come with his angels to save you. He is the Commander of the his heavenly army who will fight on your behalf the unseen rulers and authorities.

Sickness in Winter

When I was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer in 2010 a friend prophesied to my husband “Do whatever it takes to get healed.” I had the help of the medical profession and people who knew how to pray, I was anointed with oil and ate good food and herbs. After four months I was healed completely.

This is a more difficult winter for us in Northern Ireland this year. We have had longer periods of zero temperatures, snow, wind and rain. The conditions are testing on families and the elderly. Many have the flu. It is time to endure and believe this sickness will pass and do whatever is necessary to get better. Sliced onions beside the bed of the sick person is know to absorb viruses and infections.

The promises in Psalm 91 have been a comfort to me down through the years, if I was in trouble whether with difficult conditions or sickness.

Here are truths that God promises for you as you trust him.

““If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says GOD, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!””
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:14-16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Psalm 103 has been another promise that I hold onto for healing.

“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,”
Psalm‬ ‭103:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we reared our children they enjoyed good health. Brendan and I would pray for them and believed for walking in good health. Our children seldom missed school. God’s word is powerful and is true if you believe it. Have faith for healing and don’t be afraid.

You may not be feeling well yourself or have someone who has the flu or is in some other difficulty. Stand up and fight and believe God for his healing. It is a battle to believe God will heal if some one still has the symptoms of sickness. Don t look at the circumstances. Pray over your loved one until the sickness leaves. It’s time to fight and endure.

When an army goes out to war it needs the proper equipment to defeat the enemy. Our enemy puts sickness on people. I win by declaring that Jesus took all my diseases and sicknesses and I don’t have to be under the power of sickness no matter what it’s form.
The blood of Jesus heals me.

My war equipment is the Word of God and faith in the living God, Jesus. I speak out loud the Word of God over the sickness and command it to go. Jesus gives me power over all the power of the devil. He puts sickness on people. I take authority over sickness and tell it to go in Jesus name. I say for example, “By the stripes of Jesus be healed. Jesus in your Word I read that you took our diseases and lifted off all sicknesses. Lift off this sickness from my friend tonight. Believe and receive.”

When Jesus was on Earth he healed many people and cast out demons. He chose twelve disciples and gave them authority to do the same.

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:13-15, 20-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

People were annoyed with Jesus because he did unusual things. Even his own family were annoyed with him.

This may sound new or strange to you, but I know for sure Jesus heals today.

I’m Nobody’s Child

I listened to a song my husband was playing on his music system.
The words go,

As I was slowly passing an orphans home today
I stopped for just a little while to watch the children play
A lone boy standin’, and when I asked him why
He turned with eyes that could not see, and he began to cry
I’m nobody’s child, I’m nobody’s child
Just like a flower, I’m growin’ wild
No mama’s arms to hold me, no daddy’s smile
Nobody wants me; I’m nobody’s child
In every town and village
There are places just like this
With rows and rows of children
And babies in their cribs
They’ve long since stopped their cryin’
As no one ever hears
And no one there to notice them or take away their fears
Written by Cy Coben, Mel Foree • Copyright © BMG Rights Management US, LLC”

Nobody’s Child sung by The Travelling Wilberys
This song was written back in 1949 when orphanages were common.  They were set up to care for children whose parents had died or had no one to care for them.  Some children were given the opportunity to be adopted into a caring family.  The above song describe an orphan’s situation clearly.

When my husband was in China, he visited an orphanage.  Most of the children were girls.  With China’s one child policy a boy was preferred to a a girl.  Many girls were left abandoned in streets or fields.  The children lay in cots that were lined up along the wall.  They had long since stopped crying because there wasn’t the people to give extra time to them.  They were fed and given shelter but were given no extra attention.

Brendan picked up one little girl and nursed her. Half of her nose was missing.  It had been eaten by a rat when she was left abandoned.  This little girl was blessed.  She was going to be adopted by an American family.

I take comfort from God’s word which says,
““See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬
If there weren’t human beings to minister to these children, the Angels would help.

I have felt perplexed and dispairing when I hear of such stories.   I chose to be open to have children and give them the necessary care as far as I was able.  A little child starts out in life trusting those around him.  When he cries he calls for food and comfort for his discomfort.  If the child has parents they will see to his needs.

There are not many orphanages in Western countries today.  Contraception is accepted to control how many children a couple have.  Immorality has increased.  If anyone has an unwanted pregnancy, abortion is available.  A test is offered to mothers to see if their baby has any abnormalities.  If the baby is found to have an abnormality an abortion is offered.  I do not agree with the world’s idea to solve the problem of unwanted children.

I have travelled in India.  On the back of lorries and on bill boards I read the caption,
“One plus one equals one.”
This idea has caught the imagination of the people in India.  Their thinking is to have one or at the most two children.

I believe in Jesus, and as I read in God’s word on page two of Genesis, it says,
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:27-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I choose to believe that it is God’s will for a couple to be open to have children.  A child is a blessing from God, the fruit of the womb a reward.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My husband and I chose to be open to have children.   We have reared fourteen.  God has been faithful to help us to this day in our work of looking after our flock which has increased to eight wives and husbands and nineteen grandchildren.
I wish that people would choose to believe in Jesus.  He is the answer to people’s distresses and the need for children to be born and cared for.

Jesus took a little child and taught his disciples, grown men, a lesson.  He said,
“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV

If one receives a child he is receiving Jesus and Jesus will help.  I believe.

Family Friday. Have You Turned Your Face to the Wall and Wept?

When one finds oneself with a threatening disease and facing death, all kinds of emotions erupt.  Why has this happened to me?  What will happen to my children?  People stay away because they feel helpless to make a change.  Clouds of fear and depression close in.  The disease advances in the body and death threatens slowly, slowly.

This happened to a King in Israel a long time ago.  Here is the story.

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. 
The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: 
Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” 
And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. 
On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 
I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’ ” (‭2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭1-6‬ NIV)
So Hezekiah’s servants spread the ointment over the boil, and Hezekiah recovered! (‭2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:7‬ NLT)

Imagine the king turning to the wall and weeping bitterly.  Have you ever been in distress about a situation, perhaps not only a health problem, when all you could do was lie on your bed and turn to the wall and weep?  Have you ever felt you can’t go on unless the situation changes?  One can think “Why bother doing good?”  “Why bother seeking to keep God’s laws?”  “Why bother denying myself when my friends get away with doing things they shouldn’t.  Nothing seems to happen to them?”

Psalm 13 describes how one often feels.

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?  (‭Psalm‬ ‭13‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

I have turned to the wall many times and cried, particularly when I was facing death through cancer.  I was afraid.  I was sad.  All hope was gone.  But God saw me and healed me.  Jesus was moved with compassion and healed the multitudes.  Will he not have compassion on one person, that person being you or me.  

Hezekiah the king of Israel was facing death.  He was distressed and wept.  He didn’t just give up.  He reminded God that he had tried to live right before him and do good.  He put his case before God.  He talked to God.  He reasoned with God.  
God heard his prayer and saw his tears.  God changed his mind and sent the prophet back right away to tell the king that he would recover.   Isn’t that good news?  Take heart today that when you cry to God and reason with him he can quickly heal you.

I have more good news.  God has made a way where there is no way. Jesus died on the cross and shed his Blood to forgive all our sins and heal all our diseases.  Even if i haven’t lived right, if I believe in Jesus and call on his name and plead the Blood of Jesus before God our Father he will forgive and heal.  Having faith in Jesus brings results.

A young lady I know had Multiple Sclerosis.  Her condition had deteriorated till she was confined to bed.  She was no longer able to look after her husband and children.  She was being treated with medication from the doctor but she remained weak.  She cried out to God from her sick bed.  Through prayer she too has been totally healed, is restored to look after her family and has two more children.   

Another young pastor’s wife had cancer and she began to bleed. She was pregnant with her fifth child.  The doctors gave her pain relief and sent her home.  She was in terrible pain.  She reasoned with God.  “I have tried to serve you as best I know how.  Please heal me.”   She was totally healed in a few days.  The cancer passed from her body with no harm to her baby!  24 February 2015 “Testimony Tuesday, Young Mother Healed of Cancer”

The Unknown God

Many people are not sure if there is a God.  There is a story in a book called the bible, about a man called Paul who was a follower of Jesus.  He was in Athens, where he found an altar to The Unknown God.  I quote,

So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
“He is the God who made the world and everything in it.
Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs.
He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.
From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth.
He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.
For in him we live and move and exist.  “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” (‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭17‬:‭22-31‬ NLT)

The one whom he raised from the dead is Jesus.  He came and lived on the earth for three years and went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil.  God spoke out of the cloud his love and approval of his son Jesus.

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬ NIV)
No other person has risen from the dead.  No other God is kind and merciful.  No other god claims to lift heavy burdens from people’s back and offer them rest.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28-30‬ NLT)

He gives food to the hungry, he frees prisoners, and opens the eyes of the blind.  Psalm 146 v 7-8

He healed the sick.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ KJV)

I choose to believe what these words say.  I choose to believe in Jesus.

There are many books written about people who claim to help you if you follow them.

Psalm 146 v 3 says

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people, there is no help for you there.

I was diagnosed of fourth stage bowel cancer in 2010.  “That is a death sentence”, someone said.  I should be dead in the grave.  But I took hope in Jesus’ promise to heal today.  He told his followers to do the same as he did.  He is not a dead god.  He is alive and interested in our lives.  Jesus healed me from all cancer!  I am alive! I pray for others to be healed in Jesus name.

The unknown god that Paul spoke about many centuries ago healed me from cancer in 2010.  His name is Jesus.  Call upon him and you too can be healed.