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Thursday 30th January 2025

“Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. ¹¹Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.”
Job 40:7-14
“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 41:1-6 NLT

God,

We can do nothing to save ourselves, do good deeds, try harder, give more, be good! Job was silenced and in Your presence could do nothing but repent. Repent: feel or express regret or remorse about wrongdoing or sin. A complete change of mind and behaviour.

I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. What an amazing statement. Surely we echo it ourselves – those of us who have met with Jesus. Whether it was in a prayerful moment, in some Damascus road experience or praying the prayer of decision.

The Christian walk is a walk of repentance because good as we try we cannot be perfect. Jesus said as much, ” “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come,” (Luke 17:1) but it is also a walk of forgiveness. You do not forgive us once a week or once a day . . . You pour Your forgiveness on us as we go. “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7). And we rejoice.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 30th January 2025

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Lyrics: Charlotte Elliot

Wednesday 29th January 2025

“Can you direct the movement of the stars—binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? ³²Can you direct the constellations through the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? ³³Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth? “Job 38:31-33 NLT
“Then the Lord said to Job, ²“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”³Then Job replied to the Lord, ⁴“I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. ⁵I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”” Job 39:1-5 NLT

God of earth and the universe,

Job has been through a lot. Lost his own family, been distained by his wife, and been judged verbally daily by those who said they were his friends. He has never cursed or blamed you but he has wished he was never born and wanted to know why it had happened to him. He dared to confront and argue with you!

Here is Jobs ight bulb moment. God pictorially shows the sort of things the creator has done and can do without effort. He confronts Job with the reality of an awesome God and a very small man. And in none of the descriptions does ||God say he does evil. He is a creator an upholder a provider.

Father sometimes knowing You in Jesus we forget. I hear myself winging and need those moments when I remember who You are and stop even the attempts to praise You. There are times when we need to put our hands over our mouths and stand in Your presence. And be.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 29th January 2024
I closed my eyes, tried to still myself and just be . . .

Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy One, is here;
come bow before him now
with reverence and fear
in him no sin is found
we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy One, is here.

Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around;
he burns with holy fire,
with splendour he is crowned:
how awesome is the sight
our radiant king of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around.

Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place:
he comes to cleanse and heal,
to minister his grace –
no work too hard for him.
In faith receive from him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place.

Lyrics: David Evans

Tuesday 28th January 2025

“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb,
and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!”” Job:38:1-11 NLT

God of creation,

Brace yourself! Gird up your loins . . . We read nothing of You gentle, quiet, comforting voice to Job in the midst of his crisis here. Thirty eight chapters, many conversations among visitors. Some heated, and Job calling out and aching for a word from You.

But You do answer his call and speak and you will indeed settle all the disputes. But not by taking sides but by being the truth. Doing it Your way. Job wanted You to justify him and explain the reason for his afflictions. Job’s friends wanted You, God to prove them right and Job to see the error of his ways.

But You will not take sides and You did not answer Job’s questions. And You answered in the midst of a whirlwind! Reminding Job and his company that You are God. You had not abandoned him. You were still there. You reminded him who You are. Creator of all, inspiration of all creation and Lord of all. Help us in the times when heaven seems silent to know that You are still God, still here with us. Help us remember how awesome you are and You will speak when the time is right, even in the midst of a whirlwind. It may not be the answer we are expecting or the one we wanted. But You are God..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 28th January 2025

I sing the mighty power of God
  That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
  And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
  The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command,
  And all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord,
  That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with His word,
  And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Your wonders are displayed
  Where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread,
  Or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below,
  But makes Your glories known;
And clouds arise and tempests blow
  By order from Your throne.
While all that borrows life from thee
Is ever in Thy care
And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God art present there.

Amen

Lyrics: Isaac Watts.