When the Chilean miners were freed from being trapped underground, they and their loved ones and many others were overwhelmed with joy. Followers of Jesus have even more reason to be overwhelmed with joy, not only because of the blessings and freedom from bondage to sin that we know now, but also because of the abundant blessings we look forward to for eternity ahead, which are available by simply turning to God and trusting in and following Jesus. Praise God for such great salvation.

David Burke from North Belfast Christian Fellowship (on the Antrim Road) preached on the victory of Jesus that can be ours by faith.

Imagine the joy and anticipation of a homecoming of many people to where they belong.They invite others to join them also, as they eagerly look forward to what is ahead. That is what the Church does as it shares the good news of the gospel, that anyone can join in the eternal homecoming to be with God forever, if we simply turn to him and accept the invitation to love God and be blessed by him, through faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God for what is ahead, and for his gracious invitation to us who are undeserving.

Imagine the joy and anticipation of a homecoming of many people to where they belong.They invite others to join them also, as they eagerly look forward to what is ahead. That is what the Church does as it shares the good news of the gospel, that anyone can join in the eternal homecoming to be with God forever, if we simply turn to him and accept the invitation to love God and be blessed by him, through faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God for what is ahead, and for his gracious invitation to us who are undeserving.

The African theologian Augustine summarised our situation well. He wrote about God; “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you.” We try to fill our need for God with other religions, other things such as relationships, money, alcohol, and so on. But we will only ever be fulfilled when we fill our God-shaped hole in our lives with God himself. He calls us to come, his gift of salvation and renewal is free, and fulfills us more than we could imagine, and enables us to live as we ought to, loving God with all our heart, mind soul and strength, and loving our neighbour as ourselves. The free gift is offered to us. Will you take it?

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)

The African theologian Augustine summarised our situation well. He wrote about God; “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you.” We try to fill our need for God with other religions, other things such as relationships, money, alcohol, and so on. But we will only ever be fulfilled when we fill our God-shaped hole in our lives with God himself. He calls us to come, his gift of salvation and renewal is free, and fulfills us more than we could imagine, and enables us to live as we ought to, loving God with all our heart, mind soul and strength, and loving our neighbour as ourselves. The free gift is offered to us. Will you take it?

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)

Isaiah wrote to God's people who were strangers in an unhospitable land, in spiritual darkness. God promised to bring them into the light, by his Servant Saviour. People today are in a similar situation, in spiritual darkness, in a hostile world. The message of the gospel is a "light to the nations", to bring people into a new relationship with God, with eternal security, by trusting our lives to God's promised Saviour, his Son, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah wrote to God's people who were strangers in an unhospitable land, in spiritual darkness. God promised to bring them into the light, by his Servant Saviour. People today are in a similar situation, in spiritual darkness, in a hostile world. The message of the gospel is a "light to the nations", to bring people into a new relationship with God, with eternal security, by trusting our lives to God's promised Saviour, his Son, Jesus Christ.

God comforts, God saves, God gives us his strength to overcome difficulties as well as overcome against sin. If we don't experience his strength, it is not because he isn't strong enough or willing enough to help, it is because we don't rely on his strength in faith. He might not remove all our difficulties in the short term, but he can certainly strengthen us, and he gives victory in the long term. "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20

God comforts, God saves, God gives us his strength to overcome difficulties as well as overcome against sin. If we don't experience his strength, it is not because he isn't strong enough or willing enough to help, it is because we don't rely on his strength in faith. He might not remove all our difficulties in the short term, but he can certainly strengthen us, and he gives victory in the long term. "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20