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.

Monday 27th January 2025

“Then Job answered and said: I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all! Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you; But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.Job 16:1-5 NKJV

Father in heaven,

I jump to chapter 16 of Job. The conversations with Job and his three friends are difficult and challenging. More condemnations by the visitors, who have already made up their minds the trouble is Job’s fault! I find myself wholeheartedly joining Job in saying miserable comforters are you all. He explains that he would not do the same to them but would visit with words of comfort and offers of help and relief. He does not wish trouble on them so they can understand.

I love that he calls their conversations words of wind and lets them blow in and out and not take it to heart. And he wonders why they are so bitter? Were the gloating that a richer man had been brought down? Had his pride dented? Enabled them to step up the ladder in local importance?

One thing I take from all these conversations is that we need to be comforters, not like Job’s friends- but because we have first been comforted by You (2 Corinthians 2:4). I look forward to the rest of Job’s diary knowing it has a happy ending! Keep us looking to You whether down in the doldrums or up on the heights, we too have a happy ending in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 27th January 2025

Every day people do something to help others, millions of kind deeds, that is amazing and wonderful. I loved this video! Faith and works when and where we can.

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now, thought
How’d we ever get so far down, and
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, yeah, I created you”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something, yeah
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
Oh, it’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking about
How we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire and
I wanna be the one who stands up and says
“I’m gonna do something”

Chorus

We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill
We’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No, we won’t stand still
No, we won’t stand still
No, we won’t stand still
No

Chorus

Lyrics: Matthew West

Sunday 26th January 2025

“Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off? Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same. 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 4:7-11 NLT

Lord God,

Eliphaz. I am glad he is not my friend. He had forgotten anything good Job had done and we read at the beginning that Job was a good man. And Eliphaz was his friend then! Eliphaz says that only troublemakers and sinner suffer what Job is going through! Sat opposite Job in his own good health and his own self righteousness! How very black and white and judgemental. Bad suffer, good thrive.

Ha! I have known wonderful Christian parents whose children have tested them to the limits. And beautiful Christian children who have had the worst childhoods. Life is not black and white.. But amidst this fallen world of sin and sickness and trouble and temptation we have a powerful friend, Jesus, who brings us faith, hope and love. He showed us who You are and how much You love. In sickness or in health in trouble or blessing we have You God, in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 26th January 2025

For the joys and for the sorrows
The best and worst of times
For this moment, for tomorrow
For all that lies behind
Fears that crowd around me
For the failure of my plans
For the dreams of all I hope to be
The truth of what I am

For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus, I have Jesus

(Repeat)

For the tears that flow in secret
In the broken times
For the moments of elation
Or the troubled mind
For all the disappointments
Or the sting of old regrets
All my prayers and longings
That seem unanswered yet

For the weakness of my body
The burdens of each day
For the nights of doubt and worry
When sleep has fled away
Needing reassurance
And the will to start again
A steely-eyed endurance
The strength to fight and win

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick