Tag: All I once held dear

Wednesday 6th August 2025

“Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh—all that he did, and the sin that he committed—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 18 So Manasseh rested with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza. Then his son Amon reigned in his place. 19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. 20 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. 21 So he walked in all the ways that his father had walked; and he served the idols that his father had served, and worshiped them. 22 He forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord. 23 Then the servants of Amon conspired against him, and killed the king in his own house. 24 But the people of the land executed all those who had conspired against King Amon. Then the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place.” 2 Kings 21:17-24 NKJV

“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” 2 Chronicles 34:1-2 NKJV

Father God,

Swings and roundabouts it feels like. I wonder what the difference the king made to everyday living. They seem by what we are told to follow the leanings of the KIng. The sinful ones because it called to their indulgence and not having to be concerned with laws? The good God fearing ones I wonder if it was because of the benefits they were told about and the victory over the enemy reforms often brought?

Who do we follow and why? Why follow Jesus? Because of the benefits? Better than a billionaire best friend. A ticket to heaven? A God who will look after us who we can call on when we are sick, worried or in need? A God who can help us sleep nights? Paul says it Lord better than I ever could in Philippians 3:8 “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” It is in knowing You and being known that is of infinite value and all the rest is a bonus? Follow? There is no-one else good enough. and who else welcomes penitent sinners to forgive and love.?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 6th August 2025

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing You, Jesus, Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

Now my heart’s desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Chorus

Oh, to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die

Knowing You, Jesus, Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick

Thursday 9th January 2025

“So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.” Genesis 22:6-8 NKJV
“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”” Genesis 22:13-14 NKJV

Lord God,

Obedience. Not easy when we are small and can be even harder as an adult if it means it costs us something to do the right thing! Abraham was prepared to obey – and we will never know if He knew You would step in with a miracle. They only had Isaac in old age because of a miracle from You, God. But then . . . You are the life giver God. And You did provide. Such a reflection of the time You provided Your own Son. And went through with it for us. The thorns around His head too.

On the mount it was provided, the offering for our sin, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). And I will rejoice and trust and obey. It will not be perfectly, as sin so easily ensnares us (Hebrews 12:1), but I will keep looking to Jesus the perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). My provider, my Lord and my Saviour. We bring our worship, our gratitude and our all.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Thursday 9th January 2024
Obedience for me springs out of love not rules . . .

All I once held dear, built my life upon,
all this world reveres and wars to own,
all I once thought gain I have counted loss;
spent and worthless now, compared to this.

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you;
there is no greater thing.
You’re my all, you’re the best,
you’re my joy, my righteousness
and I love you, Lord.

2. Now my heart’s desire is to know you more,
to be found in you and known as yours;
to possess by faith what I could not earn,
all-surpassing gift of righteousness.

3. O to know the power of your risen life
and to know you in your sufferings;
to become like you in your death, my Lord,
so with you to live and never die.

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick


Tuesday 19th November 2024

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Philippians 3:7-9 NIV

Lord,

There are those who can memorise scripture, those who can study passages in Greek and Hebrew, those who can talk theology and those who families are interested in religion. Paul was born into a well to do family, highly educated in Old Testament Scripture and theology and could discuss on an equal footing with Pharisees all matters of God’s law.

But all that knowledge and intelligence, so important before he met Christ, he realised was worthless, garbage he said. He knew about You, Lord, theoretically. Then came the surpassing worth of knowing You. What a world in a little sentence. I can read scripture, go to church, talk spirituality but that is just knowledge. To know You who formed me in my mothers womb personally is to know life. (Psalm 139).

It all begins with knowing You, through Your Son. Jesus showed us You in the flesh. Help us to know You better every day. Listening for the still small voice of Your Spirit. Seeing you at work in our lives. No matter who we are, where we are, whatever state we are in. So we can have all You have to give.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship and congregation members, our ministers, servers, wardens.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government, advisors, diplomats and ambassadors.
For Ukraine and Russia.
For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Countries in conflict.
For Your church world wide to speak out for Jesus for faith, hope and with love.
For all the prayer groups and intercessors who faithfully pray, often unseen and for no reward.
For those who use Your name in jest or as a swear word, may they be convicted by Your presence and know You are good.
For farmers amid the snow tending livestock and political challenges.
For warm beds, clean water, daily bread. And the knowledge of the riches of Your grace in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 19th November 2024

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres and wants to own
All I once thought gain, I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

Now my heart’s desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Chorus

Oh to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die

Chorus x 2

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick