“What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. 2 The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. 3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire – they all conspire together. 4 The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion.” Micah 7:1-4 NIV
Heavenly Father,
Today I read this and I just could not believe how like today it sounds! And how easy it is to moan and complain. Then I realise I have not rose coloured glasses on or even ordinary ones but 3D pessimistic specs on! They shade out any good or hope and just leave the depressing and the bad. If I am not careful I can start to think this is all there is! The enemy is a liar and he exaggerates.
Micah speaks about what is making Him miserable and then in verse 7 he says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Today You tell us to “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2). We do not want to loose heart believing lies and yet we cannot over look evil.
We do not want to put on rose coloured glasses and pretend all is well either. Help us look through Your eyes, heavenly Father, and see all the good that is being done not just round the world but here around us. And we can see the tiny bit of good we can do that adds to the whole and we will not loose heart. Keep our hope alive and well and doing good where we can.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We pray You will keep our loved ones seeing the good and being encouraged. Fill their lives with blessings and grant them a smooth path when life gets rocky.Grow our church and give our ministers godly inspiration and leadership.
We pray for those who do not have enough to buy food and thank You for all the food banks and places that provide meals.
For those who wait to shed blood or hunt for ways to get revenge. For those whose hands are skilled in doing evil, for people in places of responsibility who are not honest and powerful people who do what is best for themselves or conspire with others, We pray You will sound the alarm in their lives so they have chance to stop, change and send confusion amidst their plans. And bring justice before them so they can make restitution and change their ways.
Thank You for every person and organisation and charity that helps, does good and is supportive. Whether it is in a small way or a life changing way. Even if it is just a cup of tea. Prosper all they do and reward them with Your well done.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 12th August 2023
This is quite a long one but I love it because reminds me of darkness can never put out the Light of God. His grace is outrageous in every best sense of the word.
There’s a lot of pain but a lot more healing
There’s a lot of trouble but a lot more peace
There’s a lot of hate but a lot more loving
There’s a lot of sin but a lot more grace
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand
There’s a lot of fear but a lot more freedom
There’s a lot of darkness but a lot more light
There’s a lot of cloud but a lot more vision
There’s a lot of perishing but a lot more life
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand
There’s an enemy
That seeks to kill what it can’t control
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills
But I will call on my Lord
Who is worthy of praise
I run to Him and I am saved
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand
Lyrics: Godfrey Birtill