Build my life – Start The Day

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”” Acts 9:1-6 NKJV

Father God,

Here is a man thinking he is doing good by putting people to death because they were being unfaithful to You, Yahweh. He was fixated with judgement and no mercy. Carrying out the letter of the Law and not the heart of it. Yet You pursued him. How do we know? Because You said You have been prodding him and he has kicked against Your prods up to now. (A goad being a pointed stick used to make a working beast do what it was told). But like a stubborn oxen goaded with a stick, He tells Paul clearly that he cannot win! Paul was now given the choice to make an about turn, (repent – a Roman army term for about face)), and follow God’s leading or go on being blind . . .

This is the point at which Paul realises God is not just in Words and obedience – but is real and wants a relationship. At this point he did not know or fully realise all that would entail. But he chose to follow, obey and find out.

We all have that choice even if there are no bright lights and no voice. For some it is more like crossing over a line into Your Kingdom God. Or choosing to belong to You and asking You to forgive our past disbelief and sin. For me it was the sensation that You, God were real and approachable and willing to be there for me when no one else was. Who loved me despite my mess.

And Pauls response? “Lord what do You want me to do?” It is humble, willing, open, selfless. Jesus in Luke 9:62 reminds us “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Help us to keep it simple each day, with, what do You want me to do? And I joy that somewhere today someone has made the choice, repented and followed You and found life.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 21st November 2025

Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, oh, we live for You

Chorus

And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken

Chorus

Lyrics: Matthew James Redman, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Brett Steven Younker, Joseph Patrick, Martin Barrett

“The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: ²“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” ³But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.” Jonah 1:1-3 NLT

“Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” ¹⁰The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. ¹¹And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” ¹²“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”” Jonah 1:9-12 NLT

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.” Jonah 2:1 “Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.” Jonah 2:10 “Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: ²“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” ³This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.” Jonah 3:1-3

God of Creation,

Nineveh, located at the intersection of important north-south and east-west trade routes in Assyria. This was not one of the cities of Judah or Israel. But a huge idol worshipping sinful city. I think I would have felt the same as Jonah, no way! Then aboard the ship, running away he depressingly decides to forfeit his life to save the ship knowing he was the problem. But he doesn’t die he is rescued in the most terrifying, smelliest bizarre way. Only You could do that Lord God of the oceans.

Then in his anguish he prays (Jonah 2:1-9). Repents and finds himself on a beach. And You simply say, now will you go and do what I asked? OK he says and is overwhelmed by the size of the city! Three days to walk it.

Jonah goes through every emotion known to man and finds the best place to be is where You want him. And it is not forever, he gets to go home afterwards. And the people of the pagan city of Nineveh have a life changing experience for good. We do not always realise what effect we have sharing the message of Your Son Jesus where we have been placed. We may put other people in danger by not showing them Your love. We may end up in a mess because we do not listen to You. But thank You that You have ways less extreme to get our attention Holy Spirit. And we do have a message than can give the hearer a life changing experience for good.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 7th July 2025

Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, oh, we live for You

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, we live for You

Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me

Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, oh, we live for You

Chorus

And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Repeat . . .

Chorus

Lyrics: Matthew James Redman, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Brett Steven Younker, Joseph Patrick, Martin Barrett.