“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”” John 6:66-69 NIV
Father God,
It seems that miracles and the feeding of the 5,000 made Your Son, Jesus someone to be followed. Not like on celebrity social media today, blindly but because they saw he lived what he preached. His teachings and miracles came out of His relationship and life with You. But he presented the followers and disciples with a clear decision. His way or back to their own way. It was not about keeping rules, religious duties but a new way of life.
And we read that on hearing His teaching, at this point, that many turned back, and no longer followed. They dropped Him, left and deserted Him. Some may have been following for some time, some off and on, some only recently. But not the twelve disciples.
Same today. It is a hard decision and yet it was the easiest I have ever made. Once I realised You loved me, and Your Son died for me. It was an easy exchange to make. My sin for a new way of life in You.
The Bible is not for those who left. It is all about those who choose to follow. In every generation sadly there will be those who turn away, but those who choose to follow. Thank You, all around the world there are those choosing to follow You.. And with Your help we will still try to love and draw those who don’t know You yet, to meet You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father in Heaven,
For our family, extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Sunday school teachers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For the beginning of the new Government following the Kings speech.
For Gaza, Middle East, solutions for peace for all.
For Ukraine. Send a miracle, an end to war.
For countries suffering drought in South Africa and predicted in parts of Europe.
For those affected by murder and manslaughter and trauma.
For schools trying to get everything done in the excitement of the last few days of term.
For new Christians wherever they are, protection while they grow.
For Bible translators and Bible Group courses for new Christians.
For Christian churches around the world, small and large. Persecuted church.
For us to be teachable as a child and excited to learn more about You.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Worship Thursday 18th July 2024
Summer suns are glowing
over land and sea;
happy light is flowing
bountiful and free.
Everything rejoices
in the mellow rays;
all earth’s thousand voices
swell the psalm of praise.
See God’s mercy streaming
over all the world,
and his banner gleaming
everywhere unfurled.
Broad and deep and glorious
as the heaven above,
shines in might victorious
his eternal love.
We will never doubt you,
though you veil your light;
life is dark without you,
death with you is bright.
Light of light, shine o’er us
on our pilgrim way;
still go on before us
to the endless day.
Lyrics: William Walsham How
William was born in Shrewsbury 1823 and died in Leenane, County Mayo, Ireland, 1897. He studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and Durham University and was ordained in the Church of England in 1847. He served various congregations and became Suffragan Bishop in east London in 1879 and Bishop of Wakefield in 1888. Called both the “poor man’s bishop” and “the children’s bishop,” He was known for his work among the destitute in the London slums and among the factory workers in west Yorkshire. He wrote a number of theological works and attempted to reconcile biblical creation with the theory of evolution. While rector in Whittington, he wrote some sixty hymns, including many for children.