Friday 21st November 2025

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”” Acts 9:1-6 NKJV

Father God,

Here is a man thinking he is doing good by putting people to death because they were being unfaithful to You, Yahweh. He was fixated with judgement and no mercy. Carrying out the letter of the Law and not the heart of it. Yet You pursued him. How do we know? Because You said You have been prodding him and he has kicked against Your prods up to now. (A goad being a pointed stick used to make a working beast do what it was told). But like a stubborn oxen goaded with a stick, He tells Paul clearly that he cannot win! Paul was now given the choice to make an about turn, (repent – a Roman army term for about face)), and follow God’s leading or go on being blind . . .

This is the point at which Paul realises God is not just in Words and obedience – but is real and wants a relationship. At this point he did not know or fully realise all that would entail. But he chose to follow, obey and find out.

We all have that choice even if there are no bright lights and no voice. For some it is more like crossing over a line into Your Kingdom God. Or choosing to belong to You and asking You to forgive our past disbelief and sin. For me it was the sensation that You, God were real and approachable and willing to be there for me when no one else was. Who loved me despite my mess.

And Pauls response? “Lord what do You want me to do?” It is humble, willing, open, selfless. Jesus in Luke 9:62 reminds us “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Help us to keep it simple each day, with, what do You want me to do? And I joy that somewhere today someone has made the choice, repented and followed You and found life.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 21st November 2025

Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, oh, we live for You

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, we live for You

Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, oh, we live for You

Chorus

And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken

Chorus

Lyrics: Matthew James Redman, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Brett Steven Younker, Joseph Patrick, Martin Barrett

Thursday 20th November 2025

“At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:1-8 NKJV

God of History,

History, if it is related as it happened, truthfully, can teach us a great deal. Especially Your history God. Here in the early church there is persecution, Stephen was put to death. So people scattered to remote places taking everything with them. Including their faith. Faith was not ‘scared’ out of them and it proved God was with them whatever happened. They had found the truth, met with Jesus and therefore You God, personally. Out of their suffering, disruption and fear came a incredible world changing outcome. Expansion.

The witness was spread throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria and where trade routes passed. The beginning of spreading the Word of Jesus across their known world and even beyond.
But at the time it was happening, I am sure they just saw the troubles of moving, finding a new place to settle and trying to earn a living. The difficulties of being a stranger in those places and finding other believers to gather with would be important. It still is when we move. I am not sure they would have seen Your big picture God. But one thing was for certain – they did not loose faith. When we cannot see what You are doing God, or things happen which seem to cause extra distress or trouble, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You God. To look for the good and the new and the stretching of our faith in our uncomfortableness.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Thursday 20th May 2025
Written in 1986. But a definite 2025 prayer.

Focus my eyes on You Oh Lord,
Focus my eyes nn You
To worship In Spirit and in truth
Focus my eyes on You

Turn round my life to You, Oh Lord
Turn round my life to You
To know from this night You’ve made me new
Turn round my life to You

Fill up my heart with praise, Oh Lord
Fill up my heart with praise
To speak of Your love in every place
Fill up my heart with praise

Lyrics: Ian White


Wednesday 19th November 2025

“Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:1-12 NKJV

Lord of Lords and Lord of All,

People use the word God now as an expletive all the time. Even those who do not wish to talk to You call on You. Many things have become God and many Pagan Gods still exist and are worshipped. But here Peter clears up who he serves and obeys even though it may affect his future freedom and even his life. Gone is the confused, scared man who said to the woman in the firelight garden when Jesus was arrested that he didn’t know Jesus (Luke 22:57).

By the authority vested in him by Jesus Christ of Nazareth who was crucified and raise from the dead. This same Jesus who has given us His salvation and blessed us with His Holy Spirit. There is no-0ne else who has the authority over creation. Even if for time he allows the enemy to run amok. His time is limited. His power is limited. He cannot be everywhere all the time. We should not give him attention but focus on the One who Lord of all.

Peter understood that having Jesus as His Lord gave him authority to ask for Heavens help. If You God stamp the request then nothing in heaven or on earth can stop it. Your authority is above all others. Help us to see what You are doing and help. Help us to learn to pray with sensitivity and according to Your will. Help us to pray and leave You with the outcome. Help us not to loose faith when prayers are not answered as we would want them. But to look at what You are doing for good. Help us to pray big.

In Jesus name we ask, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 19th November 2025
Remember this?

There is power in the name of Jesus
We believe in His name
We have called on the name of Jesus
We are saved, we are saved!
At His name, the demons flee
At His name, captives are freed

For there is no other name
That is higher than Jesus

There is power in the name of Jesus
Like a sword in our hands
We declare in the name of Jesus
We shall stand, we shall stand!
At His name, God’s enemies
Shall be crushed beneath our feet

For there is no other name
That is higher than Jesus

At His name, God’s enemies
Shall be crushed beneath our feet

For there is no other name
That is higher than Jesus

For there is no other name
That is higher than Jesus

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus . . .

Lyrics: Noel Richards