Saturday 28th October 2023

“So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.” Genesis 2:1-3 NLT

God of rest,

Its interesting that when we look at a verses we are very familiar with and think about it how Your Holy Spirit can trigger new thoughts! I always thought of God taking a day off literally and just resting looking at the beauty of all he had created, the universe, the earth and across the diversity of creatures, with his pleasure resting on man and woman as he walked in the garden.

But it actually says You rested from creation. That was actions done. Boxes ticked. But You still had to Govern it’s ongoing and its future. Jesus, Paul reminds us was before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17. Jesus reminded us that His Father, You God, are always at work to this very day, working with Him (John 5:17).

So even though You rested from creation You were still reigning and enabling and direction creation to continue and were sovereign over all.

And I am reminded of one of my favourite Psalms which says my help comes from You, the Maker of heaven and earth who neither slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:1). 

Thank you that You know even when we have responsibilities that we still hold we can rest. And You carry them with us. You understand. And You never stop giving and being there for us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of rest,

We pray:

For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For a blessing today.
For those who work tirelessly to ensure we have electricity, gas, clean water, farm the land, and run our hospitals.
For our town, local council and MP’s to make wise choices. For our King and His family.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for the miracle of resting from war and finding peace.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, an end and soon to war.
For ongoing comfort, help and relief for those in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco and where there has been flooding in the UK.
For our world, for Governments to see the great benefits to of resting from aggression and seeking good.
For ourselves, to be able to find rest in our hearts and minds even while doing chores, work and essential things.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Saturday 28th October 2023

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
Your mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning,
new every morning:
great is your faithfulness, O Lord,
great is your faithfulness!

Lyrics: Edith McNeill
Inspired by Lamentations 3:21-23 

Friday 27th October 2023

“Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. 30 And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.” Genesis 1:29-30 NLT

“You must not covet your neighbour’s house. You must not covet your neighbour’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbour.” Exodus 20:17 NLT

God of freedom, not license,

The last and tenth time that You, God spoke into creation is like a word of release. Now get on with it and see all that I have provided. Plenty for the two of them and a growing society to come. Shame that with all You provided for them, they just could not leave the one lone tree that was forbidden. All that abundance and variety and they coveted that one fruit. And it only took two seconds temptation by the snake to persuade them they should be able to have it.

When You needed to give Your people the last of 10 all encompassing rules and laws, did You remember how prone we are to wanting what we cannot have! Looks like it as You needed to cover envy, jealousy and greed! Do not covet! Oh, there is nothing new under the sun, as Your Word says (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

We too, when we have plenty still sometimes have eyes for what someone else has or what we have not. Sadly we see the breakdown of marriage due to those wanting someone else’s wife, husband or partner. Jealous and envy can be subtle, flitting through our minds at the speed of thought. Jealousy always leads to discontent not contentment. Lord, help us to learn to give thanks for all the blessings others have and then be able to count our own blessings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of all creation,

We pray:

For all our family, friends, neighbours, our church family. For their best for today.
Those living in our street or road or cul-de-sac or area. For a day of blessings.
For our town, local council and MP’s. For our King and His family.
For Gaza and the Middle East, to an end to the terrorism there without more bloodshed.
For Putin, the Russian people and for a change in policy. An end of war in Ukraine.
For help, relief and ongoing comfort for those in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco who last homes and family.
For our world, for greed to make way for generosity and contentment. For leaders to be more concerned with blessing their nation than growing their own wealth.
For ourselves, to be able to recognise, count and give thanks for our own blessings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 27th October 2023
Timeless classic beautifully and simply sung.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Lyrics: Johnson Oatman

Thursday 26th October 2023

“Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”” Genesis 1:28 NLT

“You must not testify falsely against your neighbour.” Exodus 20:16 NLT

God of growth,

It looks to me Lord, reading Your ninth occasion of speaking into creation and the ninth commandment together that you were interested in growth both internally and externally! And the good of society depends on both – Population and pleasantness? New generations to continue the human race and for truth and honesty in the way they treat each other.

A clever lawyer trying to catch Jesus out asked who was his neighbour? Jesus used the story of the foreigner (a Samaritan) who had been attacked to show that ‘neighbour’ is about both a heart and hand response to all we come across (Luke 10:36-37). Not just those 5 feet away.

You spoke reproduction into mankind, after You had created them. Reminding us that new life can never been taken for granted. A baby is a gift and there are no ‘accidents’ where God enables life to begin. And we are privileged to reign over creation. Not just our own family. Though as man has distanced from God over the generations we have grown away from ensuring the good of creation. The idols of profit and power seem to rule more? They wield their own power. They often give false witness about pollution and or damage to the environment.

Help us and new generations to know You. Help us to be a good neighbours wherever we can. Help us to help where we can – like the boy from my local primary school recently who gave his chocolate bar to a lady at the school gates having a diabetic hypo. Help us to be good neighbours to the world and to speak up where we can for its well being.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of growth,

We pray:

For all our family, friends, church family. For our neighbours, all the people we will see this week..
For our town, our county council and Government. Help them see the need to take care of this earth and improve our looking after its resources and undo damage caused from pollution and rubbish.
For new developments to clean up after themselves.
For Gaza and the Middle East, not just containment but an end to the warring without bloodshed. A miracle needed Lord.
For Putin, the Russian people and end to war in Ukraine. Let it not go on endlessly Lord. Another miracle needed Lord.
For help, relief and comfort for those in need in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco. For ongoing aid and medical agencies.
Help nations to respect their neighbours, live in peace, regardless of differences.
For ourselves, that we would be good neighbours.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 24th October 2023
Yes we had this recently but today the words came fresh to mind to encourage.

This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

Lyrics: Maltbie D Babcock