Wednesday 30th August 2023

“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”” John 6:26-29 NLT

God our Father,

I find it embarrassing sometimes when I do something for someone they want to give a gift or do something back, whether from good motives, pride or not wanting to feel indebted. But then I also feel the same when people do something for me. Many of these people had been fed by Jesus by the 5 loaves and 2 fish. Rather than wanting to do something for Him they wanted another miracle! Jesus read their hearts and knew it was not a real desire to do Your work.

You certainly have done something for us! We are indebted to You for feeding us the bread of life in Jesus. We could never match that and that is not what You desire. You want us to accept Your giving, freely, humbly. We discover we could never match Your giving because everything we have is Yours anyway. Even our breath. And so begins faith. To believe who Jesus is, Your Son. Without belief there can be no understanding. Jesus did not come just to show us how to be good and do good. He came to introduce us to the source of Good. By the Holy Spirit delivering love and forgiveness personally. Where would I be without You? You changed my life for good for ever. Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God our Father,

Bless our friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, fellow worshippers with your presence and goodness. For those who do not know or acknowledge You, we pray You will lead them to a place of decision and remove doubt. Remove the barriers to their sight and the hardness of their hearts, one step at a time.

We pray for a new believers and the growing churches in Iran, China, Latin America, Africa and Asia. We pray they will hold fast to You and be able to have their own Bible and find a good fellowship. We pray for those who have become disillusioned because of other believers behaviour or because of their church. We pray that You will strengthen and redirect their steps (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Grant an end to war, and particularly with Ukraine and Russia. You alone can put and end to the stubbornness and hard heartedness of man.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 30th August 2023

You’re the Word of God the Father,
From before the world began;
Every star and every planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice:
Let the skies declare Your glory,
Let the land and seas rejoice!

You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of every man;
And Your cry of love rings out
Across the lands.

Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry,
With a word You stilled the sea.
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free.

With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting victory from the grave,
And ascended into heaven
Leading captives in Your wake.
Now You stand before the Father
Interceding for Your own.
From each tribe and tongue and nation
You are leading sinners home.

Lyrics: Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

Tuesday 29th August 2023

Lyrics are written below.

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15 NIV

Dear Lord and Father,

Thank you that you do forgive our foolish ways. The multitude of different foolishness both large and small that we, your people, think and do! I was listening to this hymn yesterday. A bank holiday when we feel we should be out enjoying ourselves somehow, visiting family and not wasting the day. And yet having a day to chill out is very tempting. Jesus practiced both, quietness and busyness . He knew when he needed the one to do the other!

I was taken with the line from the above hymn, drop thy still dews of quietness. It reminded me of the dew that fell in Exodus 16:14. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost appeared on the ground on the desert floor. Manna from heaven. It makes me consider that quietness is also a gift from You. I cannot work up quietness or make it happen in my head. Drop Your dews upon me so I can experience Your quietness. Remind me that faith is not about facts but a relationship with You. Drop or drip? Perhaps I need to slow my brain down sometimes long enough for Your dew to settle!? And know that in quietness and trust is our strength. (Isaiah 30:15).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Dear Lord and Father,

We bring our friends, family, neighbours, community, colleagues and church fellowships and congregations to You. Lifting up their needs, their hopes and their challenges for Your provision. Bringing those with special needs at this time . . .

Ukraine, Father we pray for You to drop Your dew of peace upon Russian leadership and help them see a way to ending their aggression. So Ukraine can practice peace once more too.

As August draws to a close and parents look to school recommencing, in the next few weeks, we pray for teachers, staff and volunteers to be inspired and looking forward to new classes of children, as they return to the class rooms, dining rooms and even the road crossings. 

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Lyrics for Worship above

Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Forgive our foolish ways
Reclothe us in our rightful mind
In purer lives thy service find
In deeper reverence praise
In deeper reverence praise

In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow thee
Rise up and follow thee

O sabbath rest by Galilee
O calm of hills above
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
The silence of eternity
Interpreted by love
Interpreted by love

Drop thy still dews of quietness
Till all our strivings cease
Take from our souls the strain and stress
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace
The beauty of thy peace

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and thy balm
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire
O still, small voice of calm
O still, small voice of calm

Lyrics: John Greenleaf Whittier

Monday 28th August 2023

“When he (Jesus) came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.”20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
Luke 4:16-20 NLT

God of the Good News,

Luke tells us Jesus came out of the wilderness, after being tested by the devil, full of the Holy Spirits power (Luke 4:14). He taught in synagogues around Galilee and then came to the one in Nazareth, his boyhood home. He chose his home place of worship and prayer to make the very first announcement of who He was! Then He sat down. Many historians say there was a chair left empty in the synagogue showing hope for the return of the Messiah! Well if He sat down there it would have got their attention, and to see what he would do or say next!

And He said clearly I am He, the Anointed One. Many were impressed, many were confused as they knew his earthly parents! For us Lord there was a time when we decided to follow You. Was Jesus just a good man. Was this Your Son?

For me as the writer to Hebrews says, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus is sat in the seat of authority. He will not, cannot be usurped. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Thank You for our security in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of the Good News,

Plant goodness in our family and friends and mercy and love in the homes of our neighbours and along where we live. We pray they will give You house and heart room. Bless us through this week and all that is planned or will unfold.

Bless Ukraine with peace.

Thank You for the way that Your creation can recover from fires and floods. Things grow again miraculously sometimes. But human hearts need help to recover and come to terms with loss. Bless nature and enfold people.

As You sit in the seat of authority in glory at the right hand of God we pray that You will bless Your church worldwide and each and every child of God with faith, hope and love. Protect those who are persecuted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 28th August 2023
Lovely new hymn

‘Jesus is Lord’ – the cry that echoes through creation:
Resplendent power, eternal Word, our Rock,
The Son of God, the King whose glory fills the heavens,
Yet bids us come to taste this living Bread.

Jesus is Lord – whose voice sustains the stars and planets,
Yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown,
Jesus the Man, who washed our feet, who bore our suffering,
Became a curse to bring salvation’s plan.

Jesus is Lord – the tomb is gloriously empty,
Not even death could crush this King of love.
The price is paid, the chains are loosed, and we’re forgiven,
And we can run into the arms of God.

‘Jesus is Lord’ – a shout of joy, a cry of anguish,
As He returns, and every knee bows low.
Then every eye and every heart will see His glory,
The Judge of all will take His children home.

Lyrics: Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

One of the earlier collaborations between Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, written in 2003 in a traditional hymn-like four verse format, tracing the God of creation, the giving Jesus as a humble sacrifice, His glorious resurrection, and His ultimate return.