Abba Father – Start The Day

“This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham”
. . . “ “Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. ¹⁴Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud.
¹⁵Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. ¹⁶Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.” Matthew 1:13,14 NLT

Father of all creation,

After many generations we reach Joseph’s father and grandfather and I wonder if they were still alive when Jesus was born and what did they think of Mary’s pregnancy before marriage? Or was it kept quiet till after the marriage. We know so little of them. But then Joseph was not the Father but willing to be Jesus earthly guardian and parent.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born to the virgin Mary. His lineage is from You, God, who is and was and always shall be! The great I AM. And though You call Him Your Son when He was on the earth, before that, He was with You the three in One Triune God. Sometimes that takes some getting our head round.

Some of us can trace our lineage back many generations. Perhaps knowing who our great, great, great grandparents were and it can be an eye opener . . . but it does not change who we are.

Jesus was adopted by his earthly Father, a man called Joseph and was able to grow in wisdom and stature. He lived and died so that we, through him, can be adopted by You, our heavenly Father. We may have inherited our eyes and looks from our parents but we inherit our present life and future eternal life, heavens riches and holiness from You, Lord.

Help us to remember, what ever our earthly background, who we truly are: a child of God (Romans 8:14) and Co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We are wanted, loved, precious, unique.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father of all creation,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
Thank You for the precious people who enrich our lives.
For our Christian family. Christmas events planned for worship an to welcome new people to.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government, the Commons, the house of Lords, the civil servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For Sudan, ongoing situation and the Middle East for peace and the best outcomes for all.
For those organising shelters and meals for Christmas. For help to extend beyond this season.
For all those who find this time of year stressful for whatever reason. Hope, comfort and joy.
For young families: security, good relationships and time to enjoy each others company.
For us to know You as our heavenly Father who loves us. From Bible theory to heart knowledge.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 13th December 2024
A worship prayer followed by acknowledging God as our Good Father.

Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I’m never alone

It’s who You are, It’s who You are
It’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, It’s who I am
It’s who I am

Oh, I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only You provide
Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word

Chorus

Cause You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us, aah
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, you’re perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Oh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
Into love, love, love

Lyrics: Pat Barrett and Tony Brown

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NET

“Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ²Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. ⁴All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4 NET

God with me,

Lots of people went on holiday last week when it was half term holidays in school. They left family and friends and we missed them in church – but only for a week. We know what it is like to miss someone who has moved away for work or to be nearer their family. Or when someone has died, that is a different kind of missing.

You poured out Your Spirit on that first Pentecost morning to bereft disciples. Missing You. You went away so You could come back and never leave them alone again. And here we are today. Thanks to the faithfulness of all Your disciples down through history. Language may have changed a bit – but Thou art – or You are still our faithful ever present God and Saviour.

We may have not experienced the sound of a mighty wind or what look like tongues of fire . . . but when we asked Jesus into our lives and accepted Your forgiveness, we received Your Spirit.

We are loved unconditionally (John 3:16). You give us hope despite our circumstances (Hebrews 10:23). We have a reason to live, a calling to live Holy lives for You (2 Timothy 1:9).
We are part of Your body, the family of God united in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).
We have a destination beyond even death. a new home in Heaven (2 Peter 3:13).

Thank you for sending Your Spirit so we will never be left behind or alone again.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God with me,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Meet their deepest needs for their best. Laughter.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Assure them of Your presence and love.
For the royal family. Safe travelling and good health.
For our nation during this time of change and consideration politically.
For Ukraine, a powerful move of Your Spirit to change circumstances and end war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East.
For the persecuted church in Myanmar and the struggling church in hostile countries..
For those living alone and those bereaved. For the lonely an awareness of You holding them.
For a good summer season not to hot not too dry.
For us to know Your loving presence and the joy of seeing, hearing from friends and family.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 4th June 2024

Can’t believe this was written back in the early ’70’s.

Dave says: On becoming a Christian I started to go along to my local church and found that many of the hymns and songs that they were singing I just couldn’t relate to. They were using words that were in a language and tradition I was not familiar with and very often I didn’t understand the terminology. So, I got this old guitar and I started to strum along to the songbook of the day and from there came the very first song I ever wrote. At the time I was going through a difficult patch, but I knew I had discovered something of the fatherhood of God and I knew that a relationship with Him was the only thing that would keep me secure, nothing else. Out of that response, came a very simple melody and some very simple words, and the song became ‘Abba Father'”.

Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone
May my will forever be
Ever more Your own
Never let my heart grow cold
Never let me go
Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone

Lyrics|: Dave Bilborough