“Arise, shine; For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3 NKJV
Lord of Glory,
Arise and shine. I love that as a wake up call. Not just get up sleepy head. Not, you’ve had that extra five minutes snooze time now you must get up. Not just arise but shine. We who know You, even if we do not look like we do on awakening, shine with Your glory as we have the Light of World with us and in us.
I am not a morning person Lord which You know! And Tuesday is just a mid week day. Sometimes I forget Lord who I am first thing when I wake. I am a drowsy grump! Isiah reminds us that long ago he prophesied that the Lord Jesus would bring Light to the world and all people would come to Your light. And we did. Many of us remember the time and date we first believed. It was like a light bulb going on of immense illumination. Unbelievable love, acceptance, forgiveness, adoption to the family and fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17). Even if we arise and shine slowly . . .
We are your beloved children, not just awake and washed but washed by the blood of the Lamb (1 John 1:7) and dressed in Your robe of righteousness. However we awake help us keep that light bright and uncovered to the world. Not under a bushel. (Matthew 5:15).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord of Glory,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Churches where the flame needs rekindling.
For all the Paralympians, family and coaches and those supporting.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). For their family relationships..
For Ukraine. An end to war not by violence. Almighty God.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Your peace and direction. A miracle amid strong hatred.
For the women and children in Afghanistan, The aid agencies working their.
For those awaking to a difficult day with health.
For those awakening to a difficult day not of their causing.
For nurses, doctors, porters, radiographers, radiologists, cleaners, anaesthetists, administrators.
For those already worried about the coming winter.
For us to know Your glory shining in us and on us whatever we have to deal with today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Tuesday 10th September 2024
Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise, now that’s a word for me! Lyrics by Thomas Ken in 1695! See something about the author below the lyrics.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and early rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.
Lord, I my vows to Thee renew.
Disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will;
and with Thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say,
that all my pow’rs, with all their might,
in Thy sole glory may unite.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Him all creatures here below;
praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Thomas Ken was a man of conscience and independent mind who did not shirk confrontations with royalty. When King Charles II came to visit Winchester with his mistress, the famous actress Nell Gwynne, Thomas was asked to provide lodging for her. The story is told that Ken quickly declared his house under repair and had a builder take off the roof! He later was dismissed from the court at The Hague when he protested a case of immorality. Later in 1688, Bishop Ken refused to read King James II’s Declaration of Indulgence in the churches, which granted greater religious freedom in England. He was briefly imprisoned in the Tower of London. A few years later he refused to swear allegiance to King William and lost his bishopric. He wrote many hymns, which were published posthumously in 1721