“But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:40-43 NLT
King of Heaven,
There are many questions I cannot answer. Some people ask questions because they know I cannot answer and want to trip me up. One of the things I have been asked on several occasions is whether pets go to heaven and are there animals in heaven.
Its a very emotional debate for some and, if they do not know You, it can colour their view of Your character. I am learning that it is OK to say I don’t know. There are some things I cannot know this side of heaven and need to trust You with that. Trust seems to come to me through Your Word, Your presence and my experience? I cannot give it to someone else only assure them that You are trustworthy.
I cannot tell if we will spend eternity
With all our pets and creatures great and small,
With fish and birds, and cat and dog and hamster,
And dogs and cats and all things that can crawl,
But this I know that Jesus is my Saviour,
And Heaven above will be a glorious place,
And I will trust him with all unknown answers,
Because I’ll see my Saviour, Jesus face to face.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
King of Heaven,
We thank You for all those we know and love and bring them before You with their needs and to thank You for the blessings in their lives. Even if they do not always see it. We ask You to help us with those difficult relationships and those which have been damaged by tragedy and hurt. Help us forgive and where possible make a way forward.
We hear snippets of news from Ukraine but we trust not in tanks and drones. We dare to ask and trust that You will lead Russia and Ukraine to end war and make peace. Have mercy Lord.
Help those families and children and staff affected by the weak concrete used in their schools and buildings. Provoke those who need to to provide funds to replace it. We pray for good temporary solutions so the new term can commence everywhere and not cause distress and concern for little minds and hearts..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 6th Sept 2023
I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand’rers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and laboured,
And so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For yet the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is here.
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour
When He the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King.
Lyrics: W. Y. Fullerton