Author: admin

Wednesday 15th January 2025

“When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.  The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant.” Genesis 39:1-4 NLT

“Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favourite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything.” Genesis 39:19-23

Our Father,

Joseph prospered on his arrival in Egypt as a slave. But then had to make a choice between his values and the requests of his masters wife. He chose righteousness and suffered. Now a criminal, and judged unjustly guilty, what does he do? His best. And You, Father watch over and bless him.

It reminds me of a verse in Colossians someone gave me as I helped do menial chores somewhat begrudgingly, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23,24)

What more is there to say. Except to ask for Your help Lord to have the same attitude as Christ. Who did not think equality with God as something to cling to. Who gave up his divine privileges and took the humble position of a slave. Help us do everything as if for You as Jesus did.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 15th January 2025
Love this more joyful upbeat arrangement of a well known hymn.

Take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee
Filled with messages from thee.

Take my love, my Lord I pour at Your feet, it’s treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee
Ever only all for Thee.
Ever only all for Thee . . .

Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my heart it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal Throne.

Lyrics: Francis Havergal
Arrangement by Hymn Charts.


Tuesday 14th January 2025

“Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colours. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” Genesis 37:1-8 NKJV

Father God,

Jacob and all his family are now back living in in Canaan and he has reconciled with his brother. All is well? Jacob did not learn from his father that favouritism can lead to trouble. It may not have been so bad had he not indulged Joseph so everyone knew.

So Joseph told on his brothers. One translation puts it another way, “Joseph reported to his father the bad things his brothers were doing.” New Living Translation. So was he merely telling what he saw? Were his brothers a bad lot? And he was not afraid to tell his dreams even though it made his brothers more angry. Was he naïve? He seemed to have an easier life than them and better clothes!

Was it his behaviour that made his brothers sell him into slavery. Or was it that they really were a bad lot. The consequences were dire for all of them. Joseph, a slave. Jacob grieved for his son and the brothers had to see their fathers grief every day and carry the guilt. Consequences.

Father thank You for your forgiveness but help us with the consequences that arise from our actions or others towards us sometimes. Help us put them right where we can and not make the same mistakes again. Heal our hearts and help us remember You remove sin not just cover it.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 14th January 2025
Its a haunting melody but I love the words.

‘Forgive our sins as we forgive’,
you taught us, Lord, to pray;
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.

How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?

In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly know:
what trivial debts are owed to us,
how great our debt to you!

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls
and bid resentment cease;
then, bound to all in bonds of love,
our lives will spread your peace.

Repeat first verse . . .

Lyrics: Rosamond Herklots 1905-87

Pray for those around You, your family and friends
King and Parliament
Los Angeles
Ukraine . . .

Monday 13th January 2025

“ Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. 18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19 And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” Genesis 29:15-20 NKJV

Father God,

The schemer Jacob was outmanoeuvred or rather out scammed here! Leah was given to him in the dark after the revelling and then he had to promise to do another 7 years hard labour for Rachel even though she was given in marriage the next week. And he agreed. I wonder how he would have reacted before he encountered You, God who promised him a future? Perhaps he saw the bigger picture and perhaps You had worked on his heart so he could accepted their customs, the marriage to Leah and 7 more years labour.

One thing we learn early in life, is that we cannot always have our own way. And things can go wrong regardless. Knowing You, Lord, we learn that our thoughts are not always Your thoughts. Or rather as You say through Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” You know best. Jacob learned to be patient for 14 years while preparing for the next move. Father, praying for patience is a long hard lesson!

But we do pray, that like Jacob, when we are disappointed, misled or have the unexpected happen, that You will give us the peace of mind to seek You first. And be able to get on with whatever needs to be done in the best way possible. And trust You even if we have to be patient.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Monday 13th January 2025

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

Chorus

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last

Lyrics: Matthew Sherman Merker
From the hymn by: Ada R Habershon

Continue to pray for Los Angeles
Ukraine
Middle East
Our family, friends, church and neighbourhood.