“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. 18 And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.” Philippians 2:17-18 NET
Father God,
I wonder if Paul, who knew the Old Testament scriptures was thinking of the time David poured out a gift of water as an offering to You Lord. Because the three men had risked their lives getting it for him? (2 Samuel 23:15-17). Paul was willing to be like that drink, poured out because Jesus didn’t just risk His life He gave it willingly to quench our thirst for God.
And Paul is not trying to say he is doing more, is special or trying harder, but that Jesus death stirs him to love and serve the Lord. Whether we are young, more mature or physically not able to go, we can be and do! We serve as we can and where we are. You do not have tick boxes for good deeds to measure out Your love! We never deserve it, cannot earn it but You give it freely.
Help us today to widen our thoughts and prayers as Paul did. He saw all the churches he visited as family. He did not prefer or grade them. He rejoiced with them all, he was concerned for them all, he was glad for them all. Help us pray for the Christian churches we know, have known, know of through mission. We would like to pray and ask You to pour out answers to prayer upon them.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father God,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship and congregation members, our ministers, servers, wardens.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government, advisors, diplomats and ambassadors.
For Ukraine and Russia. Lord have mercy and give a victory for peace.
For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Countries in conflict. A turnaround to end war.
For Your beautiful church world wide and the many expressions of worship around the world.
For all the prayer groups and intercessors who faithfully pray, often unseen and for no reward.
For any churches where there is division, hurt or a need for unity in Christ. Keep Jesus central.
For us to delight in prayer as a service and ministry with God for others. Even when we do not have much time or concentration. To be thankful we do not have to be perfect prayers.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 18th November 2024
Story of this hymn is below under the lyrics. The church being the people not the building.
The church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the word:
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her
and for her life he died.
Elect from every nation,
yet one over all the earth;
her charter of salvation
one Lord, one faith, one birth:
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food;
and to one hope she presses
with every grace endued.
Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore:
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blessed;
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest!
Yet she on earth has union
with God the Three-in-One;
and mystic, sweet communion
with those whose rest is won:
O, happy ones and holy
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them the meek and lowly
on high may dwell with Thee.
Lyrics: Samuel John Stone
This hymn was written as a direct response to the schism within the Church of South Africa caused by John William Colenso, first Bishop of Natal. The bishop was deposed for his teachings, and he appealed to the ecclesiastical authorities in England where Samuel Stone became involved in the debate. It inspired Samuel to write a set of hymns titled Lyra Fidelium; Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle’s Creed (1866).He alluded to the controversy in a middle verse, no longer included, “Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed . . . ”