Friday 24th November 2023

“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:57-62 NIV

Sovereign Lord,

Jesus on His way to Jerusalem for the last time. And he met many other travellers who had heard His teaching. Luke considers it important enough to record almost like eavesdropping, Like we were there. Like today some had excuses and see Jesus transparent honesty. So we too can learn to trust You. You do not make everything look rosy. You do not enlist disciples under false pretences. Jesus had it tough and nowhere to lay his head. It may not be easy, there is a battle against evil and a race to be run.

The important thing Jesus stresses is to start and continue. We may not have to travel overseas, give up home and family but we can faithfully follow here. It is our response to what You have given us freely, full salvation. Your grace, Heaven and Your glory to come. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.”

But not just now, but I’m busy, but I’m already caring for people . . . You call us to follow not as goats with there but, but, buts. Rather as sheep who hear Your voice (John 10:27-28). Keep us focused and following You, our great and generous God and Saviour. No buts . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Sovereign Lord,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their many individual needs and You would guide their steps today for good.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches. Make them beacons of hope in the darkness of winter and world conflict.
For our Government, that You would be in the midst of it reforming it for the nations good.
For our King and Queen and their family and all the charities they represent.
For those in Iceland and the ongoing concerns and those not able to go home.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle, a strong, long pause leading to a new peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An miraculous end to this war, conflict and bloodshed, starting now.
For those in the midst of conflict, to have hope and a future and hear of Your love.
For all those who are considering Jesus, beginning to hear about Him to take that step from knowing about to knowing You personally.
For all those who need to know they are loved today.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Thank You for the day we met You and knew Your love. Refresh our hearts and cause us to praise today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 24th November 2023
Yes it will continue to crop up because this as almost my favourite hymn of all time. It says it like it is, allows me to recommit and the melody is just wonderfully simple.

Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve
Pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change
Washes away the stain that once covered me

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

Wonderful love that held in the face of death
Breathed in it’s final breath forgiveness for me
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
Giving us life again setting us free

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

John Pantry
CD: The Gifts of God Series, Grace, Mission Worship


Thursday 23rd November 2023

 “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56 NIV

God,

I suppose the disciples were not used to going ahead to find lodgings and being rejected. Mostly we read the crowds welcomed him. They heard of his miracles and were happy to welcome him. But here they were given the cold shoulder.

None of us like rejection but how easily they verbalised judgement. They saw You heal the sick, feed crowds and even command the wind and waves not to be dangerous. They experienced You, and God working through them, to do good when they were sent out in Luke 9:1-6. You gave them power and authority to do good works, heal the sick. Shall we call down fire!

They actually asked if they should burn them to death. Oh yeah! Where did that come from? But before I judge – I am glad others cannot read my thoughts sometimes! We do get frustrated by people especially politicians at the moment. We do get angry when wildlife programmes tell us we have evolved from apes. We do resent rejection and being snubbed. We do have anger in our hearts sometimes.

And Jesus response – He does not sack the disciples or forbid them to do anything till they learned better. He rebukes them, forgives them and leads them on. Keep us from judging andjumping to get our own back. Rebuke us gently and lead us on. Thank You that Your love forgives and teaches us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God,
We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their many individual needs and You would help them in their difficulties.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches. Make them beacons of hope and help in this dreary season and troubled times.
For our Government, that You would be in the midst, leading it into truth and good governance.
For our King and Queen and their family and their work here and overseas.
For Iceland, for those who have had to leave their homes. Speak peace into the earths crust.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle, a long pause leading to a new peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. A full stop, a miraculous end to war, conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, to have hope and a future and hear of Your love.
For those who find it difficult to forgive. Those who cannot control their anger. Those who suffer at the hands of angry family, employers, neighbours. Send relief, a way out, a miracle.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Help us be quick to forgive, gentle in our answers and able to wipe out angry thoughts before they take root.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thurs 23rd November 2023
The world is dark and sometimes my mind gets dark so I love the chorus – come Lord Jesus. Lighten our darkness. Remind us that the darkness cannot put it out (John 1:5).

Great is the darkness that covers the earth,
Oppression, injustice and pain.
Nations are slipping in hopeless despair,
Though many have come in Your name.
Watching while sanity dies,
Touched by the madness and lies.

Come, Lord Jesus, come, Lord Jesus,
Pour out Your Spirit we pray.
Come, Lord Jesus, come, Lord Jesus,
Pour out Your Spirit on us today

May now Your church rise with power and love,
This glorious gospel proclaim.
In every nation salvation will come
To those who believe in Your name.
Help us bring light to this world
That we might speed Your return.

Great celebrations on that final day
When out of the heavens You come.
Darkness will vanish, all sorrow will end,
And rulers will bow at Your throne.
Our great commission complete,
Then face to face we shall meet.

Lyrics: Noel Richards and Gerald Coates

Wednesday 22nd November 2023

 “. . .  48and (Jesus) said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he is not a disciple along with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.””
Luke 9:48-50 NET

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)

I am so glad that John asked this question. Because it sets us free to ask You questions when we don’t understand or because society has changed since Biblical times. Sometimes we think how lovely it would be if You could just write the answer on the wall . . . But You did that once, write on the wall, at Belshazzar’s feast. And it was not good (Daniel 5:5,6). So perhaps not! Give us patience to wait till Your Word or Your Holy Spirit give us revelation and wisdom and Your thoughts! Or perhaps patience to wait to ask You face to face in heaven. At which point it may seem immaterial.

John asks and Jesus doesn’t avoid it, He answers. Leave him alone, he is not against you. Some wars are not for us to fight and we are not to judge. God knows all. We are not called to be the police of the religious!
It seems that You, God, are the only one who can see hearts and the see the whole big picture. We see only the surface. And we cannot always understand. Help us to know when and where to speak out and when to consider and leave or wait. And to keep Your love at the centre of everything.

In Jesus name we pray, amen.

El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For the many needs they have and the many blessings we would desire for them
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches. For the big questions that have to be grappled with and do not have easy answers or clear answers that we can all agree with.
For our Government, that You would be in the midst of it leading it into stability and truth.
For our King and Queen and their family and their work here and overseas.
For those in Iceland where there is threat of volcanic eruption. For those who have had to leave their homes.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle, a pause leading to a new peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. A full stop, an end to war, conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, to have hope and a future and hear of Your love.
For all those who seek the good of those around them. Who find encouraging things to say, share smiles and offer a silent prayer for those they meet and pass by.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Help us to remember there will be millions of good things done today by people just like ourselves today. Thank You for them. Help us be patient, good and kind today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 22nd November 2023
Chris Tomlin has said that the inspiration behind the song came from his desire to write a simple love song to Jesus. He wanted to express his gratitude for God’s love and to remind others that they are never alone. The song acknowledges that we may face challenges and troubles in life, but God’s love is unfailing, and He is always there to comfort us.

Morning, I see You in the sunrise every morning
It’s like a picture that You’ve painted for me
A love letter in the sky

Story, I could’ve had a really different story
But You came down from heaven to restore me
Forever saved my life

Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, You are faithful and true
Nobody loves me like You

Mountains, You’re breaking down the weight of all my mountains
Even when it feels like I’m surrounded
You never leave my side, oh oh oh

Chorus

Oh, what a song to sing . . . . .
Jesus, You love me
And I love You, God

Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus
I stand in awe of Your amazing ways
I worship You as long as I am breathing
God, I will worship You, forever worship You

Lyrics: Chris Tomlin