“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 NKJV
“ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV
God of love,
Yesterdays verse bounced me into Romans and we find the writers Paul and John in agreement. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1). When life here is confusing, frightening and unnerving we need reminding that You love. Not hypothetically, not randomly, not theoretically. You love us, personally, intimately. You died first before we even thought of You. Before we accepted You, before we were even born.
Whether we discovered Your gift of love, as a child or as an adult we learn more of Your love as we grow. It is free, sovereign, immeasurable and unmerited. Your love is from everlasting, as well as to everlasting. You love Your people as You do Your Son and therefore Yourself. And You loved him before the foundation of the world. Help us to build our security in this world on Your love. So we have so much we can love and meet all of life with enough love to conquer jealousy, malice, pride, unforgiveness, disappointment and selfishness.
Having Your love Lord, it would be monstrous not to love You and Your people and those You have put in our lives. Help us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God of Love,
For our family, friends and neighbours. Meet their needs. Help us to love and be loveable.
For our church family. Our ministers and church leadership. To encourage each other..
For the Royal family. Their journey to health. Surrounded by Your love.
For our government. House of commons, House of Lords, civil servants.
For our councils tying to balance budgets, a way forward looking after the vulnerable.
The NHS, police and national security, fire service and lifeboat stations and personnel.
For farmers at this busy time. Giving thanks food grown in the UK.
For an end to the war in Ukraine.
For Gaza. a way to end hostilities and broker peace. Medical and food aid for all in need.
For those wrongly convicted by the Post Office, those given infected blood transfusions. Justice.
For us to know the love of friends and family today. But under and around and over it Your overwhelming love for us, personally.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Tuesday 19th March 2024
The chorus was added to Whitfield’s poem when it was put to music. A perfect addition.
There is a name I love to hear
I love to sing its worth
It sounds as music in my ear
The sweetest name on earth
Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me
It tells me what my Father hath,
In store for every day,
And though I tread a darksome path,
Yields sunshine all the way
It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe
When each sorrow bears a part
That none can bear below
Lyrics: Frederick Whitfield