Tuesday 9th December 2025

“Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. 3 For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you.” Acts 24:1-3 NLT

“The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defence before you. 11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult.” Acts 24:10-14 NLT

“He (Felix) replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. 27 After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favour with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.” Acts 24:25-27 NLT

Our Father God and Judge,

Ananias tries to sweet talk Felix into a quick, good political judgement. One religious leader albeit it a subservient one to a political leader. Lets stick together . . . Paul has nothing to hide. Felix is caught between which decision will keep the peace, be fair and not upset his wife, a Jew?

So two years pass and he allows Paul to go about his business by a sort of house arrest but being allowed to go out and about and preach. He does not spend two years worrying, he takes each day as it comes and lives trusting You, God. Our life is not always as we would like it to be. Some concerns do not go away for years. Some times we struggle even though we have prayed. Paul had wanted to preach in Rome but maybe not the position he found himself in. And he did not know what Porcius Festus would do. But he continued to write such valuable teaching letters that we are still learning from today. Each day You give us Lord is precious even if hard. Help us to just to live in today as Jesus told us, to seek first His kingdom and righteousness and not to not worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33,34).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Tuesday 9th December 2025

I love You, Lord
For 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

‘Cos 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
In the 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

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
‘Cause Your goodness is running after,
It’s running after me (oh)

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
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

Chorus
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing

Chorus
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding, Jenn Johnson.

Monday 8th January 2025

 “The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. 14 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.” 16 But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul. 17 Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”” Acts 23:12-17 NLT

“Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. 24 Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” 25 Then he wrote this letter to the governor:27 “This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. 28 Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. 29 I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 30 But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”” Acts 23:23-30

Lord of the journey,

Horse back. And with a whole security guard. Well, Paul arrived more like a general than a prisoner! Sometimes amidst the battles and struggles You send some relief. The threat came from those who had been offended by his testimony earlier (Acts 22:6-16) and then speaking about the resurrection (23:5-11). They believed in God. They must have been insecure if they felt they had to silence Paul by death. The problem was theirs not his. Sometimes, just having faith gives others a problem. Sometimes they are just vindictive. But You use a young relative to keep Paul safe. You send help and an opportunity to preach the gospel to the gentile rulers.

The troops transporting him safely must have heard of his faith and be interested in this man being transported with a large guard? The commander, an Army leader, was assured Paul had done nothing wrong but give some verbal offense to the religious leaders. But he cannot let him go in case of further riots, murder and trouble. So the situation dictates the actions. But You ensured His safety.

Sometimes life’s events dictate the actions and we feel we have no control. Help us when we feel trapped or unable to find the future we would want and like to happen. Help us when we feel despondent not to trust our feelings but to acknowledge them and come to You first. To find the assurance, comfort (Matthew 11:28-29), some still waters and green pastures along a hard road (Psalm 23). Help us remember what is hard for one is not hard for another, and not make light of others trouble and worry.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Monday 8th December 2025
Starts with insecurity and ends in remembrance of His security.

I have a home, eternal home
But for now I walk this broken world
You walked it first, You know our pain
But You show hope can rise again up from the grave

Abide with me, abide with me
Don’t let me fall, and don’t let go
Walk with me and never leave
Ever close, God abide with me

There in the night, Gethsemane
Before the cross, before the nails
Overwhelmed, alone You prayed
You met us in our suffering and bore our shame

Abide with me, abide with me
Don’t let me fall, and don’t let go
Walk with me and never leave
Ever close, God abide with me

Oh love that will not ever let me go
Love that will not ever let me go
You never let me go
Love that will not ever let me go
Oh You never let us go

And up ahead, eternity
We’ll weep no more, we’ll sing for joy, abide with me
We’ll weep no more, we’ll sing for joy, abide with me

Abide with me, abide with me
Don’t let me fall, and don’t let go
Walk with me and never leave
Ever close, God abide with me

Lyrics: Matt Redman

Sunday 7th December 2025

“After saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, we sailed straight to the island of Cos. The next day we reached Rhodes and then went to Patara. 2 There we boarded a ship sailing for Phoenicia. 3 We sighted the island of Cyprus, passed it on our left, and landed at the harbour of Tyre, in Syria, where the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We went ashore, found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem. 5 When we returned to the ship at the end of the week, the entire congregation, including women and children, left the city and came down to the shore with us. There we knelt, prayed, 6 and said our farewells. Then we went aboard, and they returned home. 7 The next stop after leaving Tyre was Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed for one day. 8 The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.” Acts 21:1-9 NLT

“After this we packed our things and left for Jerusalem. 16 Some believers from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to the home of Mnason, a man originally from Cyprus and one of the early believers. 17 When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly. 18 The next day Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present.” Acts 21:15-18 NLT 

Lord God,

Paul had travelled far and wide, was widely known, performed miracles and preached the gospel with much success. He had encouraged believers, kept them on the straight and narrow way and loved them.

Yet, he does not get too big for his boots. He returns to meet with James and the elders of the church in Jerusalem. He treats them with the same respect he treated those he met on his journeys. He did not think himself higher or lower and gave them a detailed account of what You, God had been doing among the gentiles.

He takes their counsel and advise to calm the fears of the Jewish believers. He is an outspoken man on occasions when confronted with false teaching but a man of peace and unity when it comes to building up the church. How wise. Paul talks about where his wisdom comes from in his first letter to the Corinthians, ““Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him? ”But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2:16) He does not rush in but turns to You first Lord. After all You reminded us in Proverbs that even a foolish man can appear wise if he stays silent. (Proverbs 17:28).

Help us to think before we speak. Not just think logic or emotion but think Christ in us. Listen for that calm, small voice. Not peace at any price, and we are not always meant to stay silent. We need Your thoughts, Your wisdom Lord for those difficult situations..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 7th December 2025
Another traditional hymn, whose tune I am not familiar with but that will not stop my worship! I have left verses 3 and 4 in the lyrics as they are not sung in the video but are definitely worth the praying.

 Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone;
As you have sought, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.

Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hung’ring ones with manna sweet.

(Omitted verses 3 and 4
Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things that you impart,
And wing my words, that I may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

Oh, grant my spirit to renew,
That I may speak with soothing pow’r
A word in season, as from you,
To weary ones in needful hour.)

Oh, fill me with your fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Your love to tell, your praise to show.

Oh, use me, Lord, use even me
Just as you will, and when, and where,
Until your blessèd face I see,
Your rest, your joy, your glory share.

Lyrics: Francis Ridley Havergal