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

Wednesday 26th November 2025

  “ A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.“ Acts 16:22-24 NLT

“But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.” Acts 17:13-15 NLT

“When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.” Acts 17:32-18:3 NLT

God of the resurrection of the dead,

In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned. But God shook the Jail, and the Jailer and all his family believed in Christ. And they gained their freedom. Acts chapter 16 vividly recounts what happened. In Berea, trouble was being stirred up and Paul hastened on to Athens and Silas and Timothy catching him up a little later. There were those in Athens who laughed with contempt but Dionysius and Damaris and some others believed. They Paul moved on to Corinth and earned his living using his trade, tentmaking.

They experienced trouble every step of the way but yet some believed. Oppressive trouble, physical trouble, scary trouble! And yet they kept on and were encouraged! Even if it meant moving to a new area. Seeds were sown and they trusted You to water them. Your Word was constantly on their lips. They may have had to move on, but did so to speak where they would be heard. Evangelism is not easy, but to God it is about individuals and here we even read the names and occupations of those first believers. And churches grew out of the few. Help us see Your joy in the individuals we see finding Christ. We would love a revival Lord, but see how faithfully Paul and Silas kept on personally sharing the gospel..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 26th November 2025
No, you have probably never heard this and it was written for a Salvation Army musical in the 1980’s. But I remember hearing it at a large event and being tremendously moved to stay true.

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly
To be the servant of my Servant Lord,
If darkness falls around the path of duty,
And men despise the Saviour I’ve adored:

I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.
I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.

If doors should close, then other doors will open;
The Word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated,
By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

Chorus

If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,
If all I love men should deface, defame,
I’ll not deny the One that I have followed,
Nor be ashamed to bear my Master’s name.

Chorus

Lyrics: John Gowans





Tuesday 25th November 2025

 “After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he travelled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.” Acts 15:36-41

“Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, 3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.6 Next Paul and Silas travelled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.” Acts 6:1-6 NLT

 “Paul and Silas then travelled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people” Acts 7:1-2 NLT

Lord God,

I am worn out thinking of the miles Paul travelled. I can understand them travelling in two’s. For fellowship, for safety and for encouragement! There is no covering up events in Luke’s travelogue here either. The reason Paul took Silas and split from Barnabas was a sharp disagreement. These were men, just human normal people, trying to make the best decisions, and disagreeing. But it was a disagreement between them and it did not stop them both continuing the work You, God gave them. The enemy could not stop them with disagreements. It was Pauls second missionary journey and he was seeing and hearing that the churches were growing.

The Holy Spirit prevented them going to Asia. Sometimes we come up against a brick wall and we just need to change our direction. Where a door opens to go through it. Sometimes it is not all bells and whistles and the light of revelation pointing the way. Paul and Silas simply accepted they were not meant to go yet, even though they wanted to. So they ended up in Thessalonica and we have two wonderful letters as a result of His having been there. You are a good God and a loving Father , in hindsight we see where You have stopped us going and led us Your way. We may not have acknowledged it at the time. And the ability to disagree and yet continue working for You is a blessing.

In Your name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 25th November 2025
Sometimes it is not about being right or wrong but being able to hear each other and agree to disagree. Then serve on together for You God with our differences.

‘Forgive our sins as we forgive,’
you taught us, Lord, to pray,
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.

How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart,
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?

In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly knew:
what trivial debts are owed to us,
how great our debt to you!

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,
and bid resentment cease;
then, bound to all in bonds of love,
our lives will spread your peace.

Lyrics: Rosamond Herklots