Friday 10th January 2025

“Then Abimelek said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.”17 So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled. 18 Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. 19 Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. 20 But the herders of Gerar quarrelled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. 21 Then they dug another well, but they quarrelled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. 22 He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarrelled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.” Genesis 26:16-23 NIV

God of the thirsty,

It is easy to pass over passages like this where there is movement but no real life changing experiences. But for Isaac and his shepherds these were days of worry, trouble and annoyance. Probably sleepless not knowing what may happen next. Abimelek was true to his word and the disputes were only verbal scuffles and threats (Genesis 26:11)!

Isaac seemed to know what arguments to stand up to and when to back off for a peaceful life. Did You prompt him? There was an awful lot of digging and this was when it was all done by hand in stony land with no modern equipment. At last they had a well to water their livestock and keep themselves alive.

Sometimes it does feel like we are having to dig for blessings and sometimes our spiritual life is still dry. But they had perseverance. Help us persevere and not be willing to succumb to negative voices around us or within! Remind us that negativity cannot kill us! Like at work or church if there is someone we just cannot get along with for whatever reason. Or there are those who know just how to provoke us. Help us know when to move away and dig into You for refreshment Lord. Holy Spirit release Your water of life in our hearts and grant us peace amidst the challenges of life.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Friday 10th January 2025

Let Your living water flow over my soul,
Let your Holy Spirit come and take control,
Of every situation that has troubled my mind,
All my cares and burdens on to you I roll.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Father, Father, Father
Spirit, Spirit, Spirit

Come now Holy Spirit and take control,
Hold me in your loving arms and make me whole,
Wipe away all doubt and fear and take my pride,
Draw me to your love and keep me by your side.

Give your life to Jesus, let Him fill your soul,
Let Him take you in His arms and make you whole,
As you give your life to Him, He’ll set you free,
You will live and reign with Him eternally.

Repeat first verse . . .

Lyrics: John Watson (Vinesong).

Pray for your family and friends
For Kings and those in authority
For peace and freedom for Ukraine
For our community, nation, world
Our needs.

Thursday 9th January 2025

“So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.” Genesis 22:6-8 NKJV
“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”” Genesis 22:13-14 NKJV

Lord God,

Obedience. Not easy when we are small and can be even harder as an adult if it means it costs us something to do the right thing! Abraham was prepared to obey – and we will never know if He knew You would step in with a miracle. They only had Isaac in old age because of a miracle from You, God. But then . . . You are the life giver God. And You did provide. Such a reflection of the time You provided Your own Son. And went through with it for us. The thorns around His head too.

On the mount it was provided, the offering for our sin, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). And I will rejoice and trust and obey. It will not be perfectly, as sin so easily ensnares us (Hebrews 12:1), but I will keep looking to Jesus the perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). My provider, my Lord and my Saviour. We bring our worship, our gratitude and our all.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Thursday 9th January 2024
Obedience for me springs out of love not rules . . .

All I once held dear, built my life upon,
all this world reveres and wars to own,
all I once thought gain I have counted loss;
spent and worthless now, compared to this.

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you;
there is no greater thing.
You’re my all, you’re the best,
you’re my joy, my righteousness
and I love you, Lord.

2. Now my heart’s desire is to know you more,
to be found in you and known as yours;
to possess by faith what I could not earn,
all-surpassing gift of righteousness.

3. O to know the power of your risen life
and to know you in your sufferings;
to become like you in your death, my Lord,
so with you to live and never die.

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick


Wednesday 8th January 2025

“Now the Angel of the Lord found her (Hagar) by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” 9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” Genesis 16:7-9 “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Genesis 16:13NKJV

So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away . . .  And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs . . . for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” . . . 17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” Genesis 21:selected verses from 14-19 NKJV

Lord God,

We cannot rush through Genesis without pausing on Hagar. She was not able to make her own decisions and was at the hands of a woman desperate to conceive and who became jealous. Perhaps Hagar was goading her when she found herself pregnant. Two broken women each with their own hurts. I cannot condemn either as I have my own brokenness.

But looking to You I see that you asked her to return. Safer for her have and raise her baby with the assurance You would protect and care for her. Then when he was 14, (Abraham was 68 when he was born and 100 when Isaac was born), she found herself cast out again. Depressed and blind to any possibilities. And Yu came to assure her she would survive and prosper.

Sometimes we only see situations and forget to listen out for You. It could be people or external situations – our fault or others or both! Speak to us even over our weeping. Assure us, like Hagar, You are the God who sees me and comes to help. Both times You gave her what she needed. Water in the dessert wastelands. Her son sat a bows length away from her suggesting he could hunt and find food. You provide, guide us, who ever we are whatever life tells us we are worth or not worth. Remain or move on – You are the God who sees and provides.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Wednesday 8th January 2025

I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah

Chorus

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.
Repeat . . . ‘Cause your goodness

Chorus . . . repeat twice

Lyrics: Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Edward Martin Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson