Wednesday 29th January 2025

“Can you direct the movement of the stars—binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? 32 Can you direct the constellations through the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? 33 Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth? “Job 38:31-33 NLT
“Then the Lord said to Job, 2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”3 Then Job replied to the Lord, 4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”” Job 39:1-5 NLT

God of earth and the universe,

Job has been through a lot. Lost his own family, been distained by his wife, and been judged verbally daily by those who said they were his friends. He has never cursed or blamed you but he has wished he was never born and wanted to know why it had happened to him. He dared to confront and argue with you!

Here is Jobs ight bulb moment. God pictorially shows the sort of things the creator has done and can do without effort. He confronts Job with the reality of an awesome God and a very small man. And in none of the descriptions does ||God say he does evil. He is a creator an upholder a provider.

Father sometimes knowing You in Jesus we forget. I hear myself winging and need those moments when I remember who You are and stop even the attempts to praise You. There are times when we need to put our hands over our mouths and stand in Your presence. And be.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 29th January 2024
I closed my eyes, tried to still myself and just be . . .

Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy One, is here;
come bow before him now
with reverence and fear
in him no sin is found
we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the holy One, is here.

Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around;
he burns with holy fire,
with splendour he is crowned:
how awesome is the sight
our radiant king of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around.

Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place:
he comes to cleanse and heal,
to minister his grace –
no work too hard for him.
In faith receive from him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place.

Lyrics:  David Evans

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! 3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? 4 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; 5 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