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Sunday 16th March 2025

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT

Father, who never forgets,

There is a chorus which came to mind as I read these verses. I am not sure where I learned it bit I hope to find it on You tube to add as worship. Because the second line of the chorus is -I never will forget what he has done for me.

There are countless occasions when God has got me out of sticky situations, kept me safe and even given me a new direction. On one occasion abroad and misreading the flight time by hours. I got to a deserted airport. I found a cleaner who took me through to where the rest of my flight passengers were waiting with boarding staff. I was so relieved and said out loud. God is so good, you are still here I am not stranded. And one passenger actually responded “O it was you we were held up for!” Sometimes we see Your hand in our lives and wonder at your love and mercy.

And then we remember Jesus, HIs resurrection and are so relieved that there is salvation and a life after death. How can we ever forget what you have done for us. Even each small detail of blessing is an opportunity to tell others how good You are.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 16th March 2025

Oh, how good is the Lord!
Oh, how good is the Lord!
Oh, how good is the Lord!
I never will forget what he has done for me.

He gives us salvation, how good is the Lord.
He gives us salvation, how good is the Lord.
He gives us salvation, how good is the Lord.
I never will forget what he has done for me.

He gives me His blessings, how good is the Lord.
He gives me His blessings, how good is the Lord.
He gives me His blessings, how good is the Lord.
I never will forget what he has done for me.

He gives us his Spirit, how good is the Lord.
He gives us his Spirit, how good is the Lord.
He gives us his Spirit, how good is the Lord.
I never will forget what he has done for me.

Lyrics: Unknown. Traditional English.

Saturday 15th March 2025

“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. ²Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.” Deuteronomy 4:1-2 NLT

Father God,

Moses starts Deuteronomy by going over the last 40 years history and how God has got them to where they are, despite their rebellion and behaviour. Even confessing his own weakness, accepting Gods will and passing on the baton to Joshua. There is no bitterness and no jealousy.

And here he has the last opportunity to call them to obey their God for their own good and the good of their nation. Not to pick and choose what to obey. What would our last words of advice be to those we love and know? To get to know, follow and obey Your Son Jesus?

Some family would challenge the word obey because they have encountered extreme right wing Christians. Some because they knw they cannot be good all the time. But Jesus himself said he had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17). He showed us that the Law was not rules, rules, rules but living His way with faith, hope and love. The law is not a stick to punish our failure but a living love to keep us safe from evil and our own weakness. Help us to obey in gentleness and strength, righteousness and kindness, forgiveness and hope.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 15th March 2025

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies
But His smile quickly drives it away
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey

Chorus

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey

Chorus Twice

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more

Lord oh, for grace to trust You more

Lyrics: John H Sammis (Trust and obey).
Louisa M R Stead (‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus).

Friday 14th March 2025

“While they were camped near the Jordan River on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, ⁵¹“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: When you cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, ⁵²you must drive out all the people living there. You must destroy all their carved and molten images and demolish all their pagan shrines. ⁵³Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy. ⁵⁴You must distribute the land among the clans by sacred lot and in proportion to their size. A larger portion of land will be allotted to each of the larger clans, and a smaller portion will be allotted to each of the smaller clans. The decision of the sacred lot is final. In this way, the portions of land will be divided among your ancestral tribes. ⁵⁵But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live.” Numbers 33:50-55 NLT

Lord of new beginnings,

Here we are at the end of the book of numbers. A whole new generation ready for a new beginning. It is good to stop and take stock of where we are in our lives and with You. As they did.

We may not be going to drive people out -rather we want to draw them into Your love through Christ. But we can heed the other warnings! It talks about not taking on the practises of other people who believe in idols and worship things other than You. It talks about them being splinters in their eyes and thorns in their sides. This was because You knew it might influence them to go away from Your way.

Perhaps we need to check we are not being influenced subtly or have lapsing into other worship. Reading the odd horoscope – You forbid fortune tellers (Deuteronomy 18:9). Saying things like touch wood rather than trusting in You, God. Being superstitious about spilt salt or going out a different door to the one we came in. Saying Cor blimey which I believe comes from the cockney God blind me! You, God sent a Christian I greatly respected to encouraged me as a new Christian to Spiritually clean my house and remove anything the Holy Spirit prompted me to. It led to me discovering an old set of Tarot cards and other things which I did not need to give house room.

I would house clean for human guests so help me keep a clean house for You Lord. And while I am at it check out my heart and make sure Jesus is fully Lord of all.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 14th March 2025

Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness is what You want for me
Repeat

Righteousness, righteousness is what I long for
Righteousness is what I need (That’s what I need)
Righteousness, righteousness is what You want for me
Repeat

Take my heart and mold it
Take my mind; transform it
Take my will; conform it
To Yours, to Yours Oh Lord

Brokenness, brokenness
Is what You want for me (Gotta be broken)
Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for
Brokenness is what I need
Brokenness, brokenness
Is what You want for me

Chorus Repeat . . .

Lyrics: Scott Underwood