Letter from Jon, January 2025 

 
'Holy, holy, holy,
is he Lord God Almight,'
who was, and is and is
to come
          Rev4:8

My Dear Liberty Friends

Happy New Year!  As a new year begins I hope that you have had some rest, some celebration and some peace over the Christmas period, and, if that has not been possible, I pray that you would experience all these things in the days and year to come.

The verse above describes the worship of the living creatures around the throne of God.  It speaks of the eternal and unchanging nature of our God, that he has always been, is now, and will always be.  In a world where it often seems that the ground under our feet, the things we thought were certain and sure, are shifting and changing, it is deeply comforting to know that our God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Whilst this verse speaks of the greatness of God in all eternity it also speaks of the immediate presence and power of God with us right here and now.  As we look back over 2024 with its joys and sorrows (and there were definitely both!) we can say, without a doubt, that God was with us; strengthening, comforting, guiding, giving and forgiving.  He was with us in the highest and lowest moments.  He was with us when we felt close to him and when he seemed far off.  He was with us even when we chose to go our own way.  He was God with us, in us, working through and around us.  I also know, right now, even as I write this letter, that he is God in the same way.  Today, on 1 January 2025, he is both present and powerful, and I know that whatever this coming year holds, whatever joys we get to experience or pain we have to endure, he will be with us, because that is who he is.  He is always Immanuel, God with us.

I hope as you look back over 2024, whatever kind of year it was, that you will know that God was there in every moment, and I pray that today and in the year ahead you would know and experience the deep, gracious, hope-filled presence of God. I pray that you would be aware of him working in your life, strengthening, comforting and conforming you to the image of Christ, working through your life to proclaim his kingdom in word and deed, and at work around you in the people and places where God has placed you.

May 2025 be a year of great blessing for you and those you love, and, in the words of Paul to the church in Rome, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13).

Much love

 Jon