“So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”” Acts 1:6-8 NET
“Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day our Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:42-44 NET
Father of order,
You revealed Yourself to a man who became a family that became a nation. You travelled with them speaking through Your priests, prophets and kings. Then You revealed Yourself in person in human form as Jesus. But man being man they put You to death for doing good. But You are the God of life! You forgave and poured out Your Spirit to those who seek You. You have changed millions of lives, You changed mine.
The disciples and followers of Jesus were waiting in Jerusalem. Not sure of what would happen next or how or when! Some times we are not sure what You are going to do in our lives. We pray and wait. We are also waiting for Jesus to come back as He promised.
Thank You that as we wait we have Your Holy Spirit. Assuring us of Your forgiveness and love and the power of Your resurrection (Philippians 3:10). Reminding us You are faithful and keep Your promises. Keep us faithful while we wait for answers to prayers in Your time and Your way. With our eyes to the future with You, even if You do not come again in our lifetime.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father,
For our family and friends and neighbours. Show them how You are at work in their lives for good..
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Revive us and our congregations.
For the royal family. All the generations.
For our Government at this time. For debates and hustings to be done respectfully and honestly.
For Ukraine, show Your power for peace and disassemble this war. Holy Spirit move in power.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Your way to end vengeance and speak peace and a way forward..
For the persecuted church in Myanmar and the struggling church in hostile countries..
For isolated and persecuted Christians to be aware of our love and prayers.
For the actual fruit, salad and vegetables, thanksgiving for what we can enjoy at this time of year.
For us to know the assurance of Your Spirit, who will never leave us. An day that flows smoothly.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 3rd June 2024
I am resurrecting this Pentecostal hymn once again as I love it. It is old but for me – timeless. And we need the Spirit every day every minute. Read the story of the hymn below the lyrics.
They were gathered in an upper chamber,
As commanded by the risen Lord,
And the promise of the Father
There they sought with one accord
When the Holy Ghost from heav’n descended
Like a rushing wind and tongues of fire:
So dear Lord, we seek Thy blessing,
Come with glory now our hearts inspire.
Let the fire fall, let the fire fall
Let the fire from heaven fall;
We are waiting and expecting
Now in faith dear Lord we call;
Let the fire fall, let the fire fall
On Thy promise we depend;
From the glory of Thy presence
Let the Pentecostal fire descend.
As Elijah we would raise the altar
For our testimony clear and true
Christ the Saviour, loving Healer,
Coming Lord Baptizer too
Ever flowing grace and full salvation
For a ruined race Thy love has planned
For this blessed revelation
For Thy written Word we dare to stand
This the Covenanted promise given
To as many as the Lord shall call,
To the fathers and their children,
To thy people, one and all;
So rejoicing in thy Word unfailing,
We draw nigh In faith Thy power to know –
Come, O come, thou burning Spirit,
Set our hearts with heavenly fire aglow.
Lyrics: Harry Tee
First published in 1951 and again in 2006 and 2015
The test of true revival is that the fruit will be seen in individual lives which will then have a marked effect upon the community. One such true revival was that in Kilsyth, Scotland, beginning in 1908 where the writer of this hymn, Harry Tee, was the leading elder of the church from 1922 until his death in 1959. Harry and the church there in Kilsyth, experienced a true ‘upper chamber’ revival. For 9 months, meetings were held every night as folk gathered in and around the church. Crowds spilled out on to the streets and on to the church roof (!) which made Kilsyth something of a ‘Pentecostal spectacle’. Alexander Boddy, had stood on a pulpit with Evan Roberts in 1905 during the Welsh Revival and one year previous had been with T.B. Barratt in Norway ministering in the new Pentecostal revival. Yet when he visited the Kilsyth revival for three days at the end of March 1908, he was overwhelmed at what he saw. It was heaven on earth. He lay on his face unable to say anything.
True to real revival, hundreds of lives were radically changed and signs followed. Some of the worst characters in the community were saved. One infamous man who had had to be restrained with rope, held by no less than FIVE policemen, was transformed instantly when he was born-again and filled with the Spirit. A lady who was ill with diphtheria and had lost her hearing and speech, was instantly healed when hands were laid on her. The town which was built mostly on mining was filled with rough, hard-working men whose hearts were touched and changed. This then affected the homes and children, and it was not uncommon to hear and see children earnestly seeking the Lord, speaking in tongues and even being used of God to bring sobering prophecies. Beyond the little Scottish town of Kilsyth, this outpouring affected nations and continents as, with any true revival, a missionary zeal burned in hearts. When Harry Tee wrote the words and music to this revival hymn, he was both describing what happened in the Book of Acts as well as what happened in Kilsyth.
http:/www.limerickcitychurch.com/blog/archives/05-2014