Saturday 12th August 2023

“What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. 2 The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. 3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire – they all conspire together. 4 The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion.” Micah 7:1-4 NIV

Heavenly Father,

Today I read this and I just could not believe how like today it sounds! And how easy it is to moan and complain. Then I realise I have not rose coloured glasses on or even ordinary ones but 3D pessimistic specs on! They shade out any good or hope and just leave the depressing and the bad. If I am not careful I can start to think this is all there is! The enemy is a liar and he exaggerates.

Micah speaks about what is making Him miserable and then in verse 7 he says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Today You tell us to “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2). We do not want to loose heart believing lies and yet we cannot over look evil.

We do not want to put on rose coloured glasses and pretend all is well either. Help us look through Your eyes, heavenly Father, and see all the good that is being done not just round the world but here around us. And we can see the tiny bit of good we can do that adds to the whole and we will not loose heart. Keep our hope alive and well and doing good where we can.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Heavenly Father,

We pray You will keep our loved ones seeing the good and being encouraged. Fill their lives with blessings and grant them a smooth path when life gets rocky.Grow our church and give our ministers godly inspiration and leadership.

We pray for those who do not have enough to buy food and thank You for all the food banks and places that provide meals.

For those who wait to shed blood or hunt for ways to get revenge. For those whose hands are skilled in doing evil, for people in places of responsibility who are not honest and powerful people who do what is best for themselves or conspire with others, We pray You will sound the alarm in their lives so they have chance to stop, change and send confusion amidst their plans. And bring justice before them so they can make restitution and change their ways.

Thank You for every person and organisation and charity that helps, does good and is supportive. Whether it is in a small way or a life changing way. Even if it is just a cup of tea. Prosper all they do and reward them with Your well done.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 12th August 2023
This is quite a long one but I love it because reminds me of darkness can never put out the Light of God. His grace is outrageous in every best sense of the word.

There’s a lot of pain but a lot more healing
There’s a lot of trouble but a lot more peace
There’s a lot of hate but a lot more loving
There’s a lot of sin but a lot more grace

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There’s a lot of fear but a lot more freedom
There’s a lot of darkness but a lot more light
There’s a lot of cloud but a lot more vision
There’s a lot of perishing but a lot more life

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There’s an enemy
That seeks to kill what it can’t control
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills
But I will call on my Lord
Who is worthy of praise
I run to Him and I am saved

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Lyrics: Godfrey Birtill

Friday 11th August 2023

Listen to what the Lord is saying:
“Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. 2 And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel. 3 “O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me! 4 For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you. 5 Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, when I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” Micah 6:1-5 NLT

Our Father,

Micah returns to His message of judgement, against the society he lived amongst, and sets the scene of a court and trial. Trials are still much the same today. Reading the charges asking for a response of guilty or innocent and calling witnesses.

I have never noticed before, but You, God puts yourself in the dock and asks what You have done wrong. What are the charges against You? You calls on the mountains to be Your witnesses as they literally have seen it all! Then You cite all the occasions when You did provide and was faithful.

So many people today blame You. God for all sorts of things. Put You on trial and have already decided You are guilty. It reminds me of a hill that witnessed Your faithfulness, and men’s sin. Where Jesus took our punishment.

Today we thank You for your faithfulness to us today. I give thanks that King Hezekiah and the people heard and responded to Micah and Your Word and changed their behaviour (Jeremiah 26:18-19). They returned to Your blessing for a while anyway! Help us to respond to Your faithfulness and not be prone to wander or sin.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven and yet in the hearts of men by Your Spirit, bless those we know and love. Guide and direct their paths and touch them where they hurt and need healing, where they need light and hope and purpose. Thank You for our church fellowship and those who faithfully pray for us each day or week.

We pray for our justice system which gained such a backlog in Covid and which was already overburdened with cases. Many are long and complicated. We ask that You would call those with wisdom to become judges and magistrates. Grant them divine discernment. Help the system cope and catch up. Though we pray by Your hand criminals would find You, repent and not add to the case load.

We pray for families of those in prison who need help and we pray for the victims of crime whose lives have been changed forever. Be their provider.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 11th August 2023

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

Chorus:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart

Chorus
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Lyrics: Michael W Smith






Thursday 10th August 2023

“As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah—from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past. 3 So the Lord will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies until the time when the woman in labour gives birth. Then the rest of the king’s countrymen will return to be reunited with the people of Israel. 4 He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the Lord’s strength, by the sovereign authority of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honoured even in the distant regions of the earth. 5 He will give us peace.” Micah 5:2-5 NET

Sovereign Lord God,

Yes, the shopping channels (I merely scrolled past them on the TV guide!) have been doing Christmas in July and are having Christmas again in August. The world needs reminding we have to spend to make it more wonderful than last year and to be happier???? For those of us who know Christ we never cease to wonder that You came has a defenceless helpless baby to become the Saviour of the world.

Scholars think Micah was written 600 to 700 years before Christ and yet here is a promise of his coming. Bethlehem. Ephrathah is a biblically referenced former name of Bethlehem, meaning “fruitful”. It is also a personal name. The special place of no significance to man where You planned Your Son would be born. As Micah foretold, He certainly assumed His post even if His own disciples could not always understand or see it.

He was a good Shepherd to those who would follow and still is (v4) . By Your strength (v4) as He only did what He saw You doing (John 5:19). He is honoured even in the distant regions of the world, because 12 men and some women spread the gospel by the power of Your Holy Spirit. You give us peace. One day, and You knows when, You will give us a beautiful, joyful, life filled peace in heaven. Thank You for the promises that have been fulfilled and those we are looking forward to in our future.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Sovereign Lord God,

Bless, keep and shepherd our friends and family into good places and good health and into Your safe keeping. Open the eyes of those who cannot yet see who You truly are. We pray for our ministers and those who keep our churches open and based on Your Word. We pray for Bishops, Superintendents, Senior Pastors and the heads of the Pentecostal denominations. We pray they will lead the church forward and even where there is disagreement find a way forward in peace keeping the gospel central.

We pray for those who buy lights and try to buy happiness at Christmas. Break into their lives now so they can know the wonder, the life changing difference Your Son made when He came to Bethlehem, Ephrathah that little insignificant yet fruitful personal birth place.

We pray that there will be a change for Ukraine before Christmas. Send the message of peace and goodwill to all men and women involved in decisions in these days. So another way forward can be found.

We do not want to get caught up in all the endless political discussions but we do want to pray for our Parliament. That You would bless it, root out lies and sham for what they are and enhance the truth and good when it is spoken.

Bless our homes and thank you for all who visit this week. Bless each house on our street. Some have many needs and some are dark. Visit them with Your light and hope and health.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 10th August 2023
No apologies – I just wanted this today, because we too can sing for and to Him.

It was on a starry night
When the hills were bright,
Earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still.
Then in a cattle shed, in a manger bed
A Boy was born, King of all the world.

And all the angels sang for Him,
The bells of Heaven rang for Him,
For a Boy was born, King of all the world.

Soon the shepherds came that way
Where the Baby lay,
And were kneeling, kneeling by His side;
And their hearts believed again
For the peace of men,
For a Boy was born, King of all the world.

Lyrics: Joy Webb