Wed 8th November 2023

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” Luke 9:1-6 NKJV

God, our Lord,

The disciples were happy to follow Jesus but here we see Him standing back and letting them grow. Your Son passing on His and therefore Your authority and calling, to His disciples. It is still all about Jesus but delivered through them. It is the first time he has sent them out on their own to do what they had seen Him doing. They were bestowed with His and therefore Your power over evil forces, to heal sicknesses in order to proclaim the Good News of Your Kingdom.

They are not to be worried about being up to date with the latest fashions. Not encumbered with an abundance of possessions. Just willing to bring You and Your compassion into each situation they met. Hospitality in the middle east meant they would eat and be offered somewhere to stay. And they are not to be choosy, big or small. If not welcome, just move on. Rejection is not personal, no offence to be taken, it is the message that is rejected.

Raising the dead, miraculously healing the sick? I have so many questions about why not today and I believe You can and do still heal. Whether medical or miracle. But today help us remember we are still to take the Gospel, Your love, wherever we go and find hearts willing. Every person is unique and valued by You. We are still called to live lives of simplicity. Look at the flowers of the fields (Matthew 6:28-29. A message our buy now, throw away consumer world needs.

It is not always easy to bring You into our conversations. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who can prompt us and who is the one that seeks to make the seed grow in hearers hearts. Help us to simply tell how You have blessed us and give You thanks.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

Lord God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their needs for today and their hope for tomorrow.
For our ministers and all that is done by churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care. That along with the love the Good News will be shared.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord we need a miracle of peace and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine, that there would be a change in direction away from war. An end to conflict.
For the NHS, hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. For their future and for their best and the best for patients. For all those with long term illness and disability for their strength, breakthroughs in medicine and Your joy and hope throughout the day. For those that care for them blessings and health.
For all those, in every land, whose motivation is to share Jesus. To see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, for all we need for today, that we would rejoice and be glad and know Jesus with us.

In Jesu name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 8th November 2023

Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That all may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years.

Restore, O Lord,
In all the earth Your fame,
And in our time revive
The church that bears Your name.
And in Your anger,
Lord, remember mercy,
O living God,
Whose mercy shall outlast the years.

Bend us, O Lord,
Where we are hard and cold,
In Your refiner’s fire
Come purify the gold.
Though suffering comes
And evil crouches near,
Still our living God
Is reigning, He is reigning here.

Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That all may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years

Restore us O Lord
Revive us O Lord.

Tuesday 7th November 2023

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.“ Luke 8:42-55 NIV

Lord Jesus,

Thank you that You love personally, intimately, deeply. Regardless of age, social standing, race or gender. Jesus your life witnessed it, your death on the cross acted upon it, your Holy Spirit assures us of it.

These two intertwined events of compassion, towards a chronically sick woman and a dying young girl, show us that You love. They also challenge us! The crowds almost crushed You! I wonder if when You walked as a man You ever got irritated? Trying to do good and then You are hindered by crowds of people just wanting attention or to see a show. In the middle of doing something urgent and serious, going to heal a very sick child, something else equally important crosses your path. Disrupts You. If You did experience irritation You did not show it, act on it or let it get the better of you. Help us to know how ever many disruptions we get or things that complicate our day we can simply work through them with You. One at a time!

This interruption could not be ignored because You loved the woman who had suffered bleeding 12 years. She did not sneak healing from You. You wanted her to know you wanted to heal her. You were not embarrassed by her illness, or think her unclean or just another woman. Help us to consider our responses to those around us and give love, respect and dignity. (Even to our enemies! Matthew 5:44).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord Jesus,

For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their best and for them to see Your hand on their lives for good.
For our ministers and all that is done by churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord we need You to be in the midst and bring healing and peace.
For Putin and Ukraine, that there would be a change in direction away from war.
For the NHS, hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. For their future and for their best as well as the best for patients.
For all those with long term illness and disability for their strength, breakthroughs in medicine and Your joy and hope throughout the day. For those that care for them blessings and health.
For ourselves, for all we need for today, that we would rejoice and be glad and know Jesus with us.

In Jesu name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 7th November 2023
The most amazing miracle, is that out of all the billions of people he found to love, he found me – and you.

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above—
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Monday 6th November 2023

“But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”” Luke 8:42-48 NKJV

Lord God,

It is a long time since I have been in crowds. Not done sales, queueing or busy places. The only time recently was getting on a train and I seriously almost shouted stop pushing please. Multitudes thronged Jesus. And He asked, “Who touched me?” The disciples hadn’t a clue. Could have been anyone. But Luke showed the compassion of Jesus, even when surrounded by people and on the way to the house of Jairus, an important man, whose daughter was gravely ill.

But Jesus stopped, not annoyed or irritated or cross. But because he wanted to speak to her, reassure her of her faith and healing. So how did He say, “Who touched me?” Loud, demanding or gentle and full of assurance? And once again I am reminded how gently You speak to me even when You are correcting me. You are God and like a good parent. Not like an earthly one who bids us be seen and not heard. You want to know us. To share Yourself with us. To allow us to touch You and be made whole.

Help us to continually reach out to You. To know You will meet our needs and respond to our faith. We are not just another one in the crowd, You know us right well and love us because of Your Son.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Soften their hearts to allow You to speak and bless and guide those who know You.
For our church and all that happens there through the week to show Your love and care.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who seek the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miracle ceasefire and an end to terror and war.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, for men and women to choose peace over endless war.
For those areas in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco that need it, to have provision for the winter.
For safety where there are fireworks and bonfires. For our fire service and emergency services.
For all those with long term illness and disability for strength, breakthroughs in medicine and Your joy and hope throughout the day. For those that care for them, blessings in return.
For ourselves, for all we need for today to make us smile – and maybe say something kind or do good for someone else.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 6th November 2023

Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before, oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore