Author: admin

Thursday 3rd February 2026

“Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking? 3 Surely you have instructed many, and you have strengthened weak hands. 4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees; 5 but now it comes upon you, and you are weary; it touches you, and you are troubled. 6 Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope? 7 “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. 9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of His anger they are consumed. 10 The roaring of the lion, The voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions are broken. 11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.” Job 4:1-11 NKJV

God our Father,

For seven days these friends have sat with Job and said nothing. Now Eliphaz speaks and we expect comfort from a friend that concerned. But no, I am shocked that there is no sympathy or empathy. Eliphaz, a brave an says he can’t keep from speaking any longer and he is not sure how job will stand up to him speaking the truth as he sees it. As Job has been used to speaking as the one encouraging the weary.

He then proceeds to let Job know that the upright are not cut off and forsaken by God. Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. He presumes therefore that Job cannot be innocent. He implies that what has happened is punishment by God. And he is convinced by personal experience. But we know that is not the case. It may be occasionally true that those who do evil come to a sticky end but it is not a spiritual principle.

We know no-one is perfect and it is only in Jesus that we can be seen as sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21). But we read, in chapter 1, that God saw Job as blameless and upright. Eliphaz was presumptuous and had forgotten why he visited. To comfort not judge. May the words of my mouth be acceptable in Your sight Lord (Psalm 19:14).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 3rd September 2026

May the words of my mouth
And the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the d-eeds of the day
And the tr-uth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, Jesus

For this is what I’m glad to do
It’s time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I’ll follow You

Lord will You be my vision
Lord will You, be my guide
Be my hope, be my light, and the way
And I’ll look not for riches
Or praises on Earth
Only You’ll be the first, of my heart

Chorus

I will follow, I will follow You
(4X)

Chorus twice

Lyrics: Tim Hughes

Wednesday 2nd September 2026

““Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? 13 For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; then I would have been at rest 14 with kings and counselors of the earth, who built ruins for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver; 16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like infants who never saw light?”” Job 3:11-16 NKJV

“Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, 21 who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures; 22 who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in? 24 For my sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings pour out like water. 25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. 26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.” Job 3: 20-26

Father God,

Job hits rock bottom. It is hard to read. Perhaps we have never felt that low and that is a reason to thank You. Perhaps we have and remember the struggle to hold suffering and faith together. Job is asking questions of You God and trying to understand. Many of the same questions that we have asked. When we see disasters on the news and tremendous depth of suffering and death of those so young. Some of them Yours in Jesus, some with no chance of knowing You. We need to be able to be real and honest.

Yet Job never turns away from You. He asks the questions. There are no easy answers for us to be able to quote. He has to journey through his pain with You. And it does not stop it happening. Job does not give us answers. He shows us his attitude. In depression, even suicidal he turns to You. He is not persuaded by the trite answers of his friends who make him feel guilty in his depression. He continues to talk to You.

When there are no answers help us to continue to search for you and wait. And accept the things we may never know. And trust. You do not send suffering but it happens. We live in a fallen world. Evil has not been finally dealt with yet. Meanwhile we have Your Holy Spirit of comfort and strength help us keep going if, when it is all bleak.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Joseph Scriven (1819–1886) was an Irish-born Canadian teacher and poet best remembered for writing this hymn. Despite facing crushing personal tragedies, he lived a life of radical selflessness and service to the poor.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

Lyrics: Joseph M. Scriven

Tuesday 1st September 2026

“Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” Job 2:8-13 NKJV

Oh Lord and Father,

Job has not just been bereaved of his sons and daughters and wealth – he has the scorn of his wife. Followed by the discomfort of terrible sores from his feet to the top of his head. He has no comfort anywhere, anytime.

And his friends come and sit with him for seven nights in silence and have no comfort either. In hindsight perhaps it was kinder to say nothing then later when they did speak. It is sometimes not possible to find the right words to say to someone – but 7 days!

Lord, I cannot remember what people said to me when I was bereaved. I just know I was glad they did not ignore me. But they did not outstay their welcome and often did practical things like bring a meal or something to tempt me to eat. They washed up for me and asked if I needed anything. I remember they were kind. One friend popped round for an hour in the evening because he knew it would help it pass and he could pray with me for a good nights sleep.

Everyone is different in their needs. But Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:26 that the church is like a body and if one part suffers, every part suffers with it. So we just need to learn to care, spiritually and practically sometimes. Not sit in silence horrified and then be judge and jury. And love those both inside and outside the church who need comfort and a Saviour.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 1st September 2026

Help us to help each other, Lord,
each other’s cross to bear;
let each his friendly aid afford,
and feel another’s care.

Help us to build each other up,
Our little stock improve;
Increase our faith, confirm our hope,
And perfect us in love.

Up into thee, our living head,
let us in all things grow,
Till Thou hast made us free indeed
And spotless here below.

Then when the mighty work is wrought
Receive Thy ready bride;
Give us in heaven a happy lot
With all the sanctified.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley