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Saturday 29th November 2025

“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and travelled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples.” Acts 18:18-23 NLT

“While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul travelled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” 5 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.” Acts 19: 1-6 NLT

Father God,

The travelogue continues… Corinth then Cenchreae for a shaved head on the way to Syria, dropping Priscilla and Aquila. at Ephesus. Paul commences his third missionary journey. Caesarea, Jerusalem and then Antioch. Then place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia. Finally Ephesus on the coast where he met a small group of believers. 12 men! They had repented (John’s baptism) and knew forgiveness but had been left without power to know and live in Jesus by His Spirit. A long way round but God knew 12 men in need of life.

We do sometimes confuse new believers, by talking about Jesus, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus. Trying to explain that they are all equal and unified in the Trinity. As when people pray and start of talking to You God and then change to Jesus half way though. We know that You are one, and whoever we address in the Trinity, You are all present and hear in unity. But repenting without Your presence is like being washed and put back in the mud. We need Your constant indwelling to live Your life and be confident in our faith. These 12 men wanted to live for You but did not have a personal relationship with You. Paul introduced them to You.

Whether we ask Jesus into our heart, or someone lays hands and prays for us, we do not receive a bit of You or part of You. You give us Your all. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are filled with awe and thanksgiving God, You went to great lengths to find us and give us life. You continue to go to great lengths to bless us. Help us to be open to an intimate relationship with You. We do not deserve it but accept with eternal gratitude. Help us to go to great lengths to find those open to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 29th November 2025
Staying with a traditional hymn today. I had not thought of this as a Christmas carol because the chorus was often sung at the Salvation Army prayerfully when people were being led to Jesus at the Mercy seat (Altar). Its a simple prayer. Emily, the writer, was also looking forward to meeting Jesus when His voice calls her home.



Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.

Lyrics: Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott



Friday 28th November 2025

“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NLT

“Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

God Almighty,

Paul writes a second letter to the church at Thessalonica, soon after the first to reinforce his encouragement and assurance that Jesus is coming back. And not to be taken in by and con artists! He also wants to share the truth about Christs return so they can weigh the truth themselves. He has heard there has been false teachers trying to mislead them. It is not always easy to discuss the second coming as we do not have exact times, or details of what it will actually be like! I am not sure I can imagine it. I walk by faith and not by sight.

But Paul uses the certainty of Christs second coming as an added encouragement to keep going in their suffering. And when it happens they will know without a doubt. Perhaps we do not need the minutia of details but the faith that it will happen. That we do not know when, should keep us on our toes . . .

Paul suggests that, till that day, they should not forget the spiritual qualities of discipline and self control. They did not see the day and we still look for it. Pauls advice is as good for us today as then. n all situations discipline and self control will keep us focused on Jesus and busy doing Your will, Lord God. Always caring for others not just ourselves.

Worship Friday 28th November 2025
I have never really noticed the last verse of this hymn. Like Fanny we can be ready even if it is not in our life time. (Exodus 33:22 Moses sees Gods glory from the cleft of a rock.)

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Saviour to me;
He’s hiding my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of his love
And covers me there with his hand,
And covers me there with his hand.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord;
He taketh my burdens away,
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved;
He giveth me strength as my day.

Chorus

With numberless blessings each moment he crowns
And filled with his fullness divine;
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer is mine.

Chorus

When clothed in his brightness, transported I rise
To meet him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, his wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

Chorus

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby

Thursday 27th November 2025

 “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:1:1-3 NLT

4“Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. 6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love.” 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6 NLT

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. ” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NLT

Father God,

Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4) soon after leaving. He wrote to give thanks for them for their love and hope. And to encourage them in their difficult situation. And to know without a doubt their future.

How wonderful to be remembered for faithfulness, love and hope and not for reciting their problems and difficulties. They didn’t need to be broadcast those as they were easy to see! It is difficult some times not to share the hinderances and antagonism that sometimes surrounds us. Rather than looking to God for encouragement and sharing that. We are emotional beings and their are times we need to talk to someone and not bottle things up. But not to become a broken record of negatives.

So today I use the first three verses as a prayer for my church fellowship and will try to live so they can see something of those qualities in me . . . And keep in mind that one day I will be with Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 27th November 2025

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect communion, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Chorus

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

Chorus

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby