Children of the living God

“A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:8 NKJV

Almighty God,

I remain in Ecclesiastes, Lord God, because though it is the Old Testament it still reminds me of the New Testament. History yet to come. The writer of Ecclesiastes (the aged Solomon) seems to be summing up his previous 7 verses. It comes down to this – there is love and there is hate. Between individuals and in a wider sense, internationally there are times of war / conflict and times of peace. We see it in our own lives and those around us. People love and people fall out of love. Marriages end, families feud. Friends love like family, family falls out. At any one time there are several nations at war with others or within themselves! It has always been the same and at some times more are involved. We could be as depressed today as the author was then. Except . . .

There is a purpose to everything under heaven, because You are God, You created us and in the right season and time You sent Jesus. And He said, “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” (Matthew 5:43). He showed us Your time to provide peace with You.

He showed us Your Peace, Your agape love, not romantic and slushy, but everlasting, sacrificing, free and unconditional. Freely available. Because Jesus paid the price, took all the sin and hate of the world, trampled and defeated it on the cross.

It is hard to love the sinner and hate the sin. Forgive people who have hurt us and treat others as we would like to be treated (Matthew 6:12). So help us just one day at a time, one step at a time by Your Spirit. Lest we get ahead of You . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Almighty God of love,

For our family, friends, neighbours. A day of peace, good health and happiness. Know Your love.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. To share Your life and generosity and know peace.
For our neighbourhood, for families and individuals to want to find out about our Christian God..
For the Royal family. Good health and relationships. Opportunity for healing family ties.
For our nation and the members yet to be elected to Parliament.
For preparations for the Olympics in Paris and all those competing for good health.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Lasting solutions for the good of all.
For families torn apart by war, disputes or broken relationships. Heal scars, wounds. Make a way.
For Ukraine, those living there or abroad. A mighty move of Your Spirit to end war, soon.
Charity shops, food banks, support groups and those who help neighbours.
For those brainwashed into hate. A miracle of a changed heart.
For us a day to be at peace no matter what we are doing. To find contentment in what must be done or what cannot be done.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 22nd June 2024
We turn from the news of wars and conflict. Ukraine, Gaza and UK politicians! to our Father in Heaven. I thought this was an old hymn but seems it is more recent.

Children of the Living God, Come and sing, Sing out loud!
Children of the Living God, Sing to the Living God!
Sing of the wonders He has made, Bird in flight, Falling rain
Sing of the wonders He has made, Sing to the Living God!

How He loves us with great love, He who sits enthroned above
For our lives He spilled His blood, Sent His Spirit like a flood
Children of the Living God, Sing to the Living God!

Sing of His gentle healing hands, How they found the lowliest man
Sing of His gentle healing hands, Sing to the Living God!
Sing of the mercy that He gives, though we sin, He forgives
Sing of the mercy that He gives, Sing to the Living God!

How He loves us with great love, He who sits enthroned above
For our lives He spilled His blood, Sent His Spirit like a flood
Children of the Living God, Sing to the Living God!

Sing for the morning when He comes in the clouds, Glorious Son!
Sing for the morning when He comes, Sing to the Living God!

Lyrics: Fernando Ortega

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12,13 NKJV

Father God,

The right to become Your child! You entitle us absolutely when we believe in You, and Your Son, provides the door and signs the covenant as we pass through. And there it is, simply put, the gospel right at the beginning of book of John.

Becoming one of Your family, which results in privileges and spiritual power in Jesus name. Power that overcame, overcomes death. A name, in literature, legal documents, and conversation, represents the person and their authority. The “name” of Jesus is not our magic formula, or incantation, it means we trust in His person, His sacrifice, and His salvation. Therefore also in You, Father. His name grants us entitlement and welcome into Your presence, Your parenthood, Your provision.

Father You guide, help, uphold, protect and plan the best for us, as a good father would. And like children who spend a lot of time with their father we want to be like You and be transformed into Your likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). And to please You.

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Suggested prayers: Family, friends, Church family, our community and nation.
The Royal family and those in Parliament, law and order and emergency services.
Peace in Ukraine, the Middle East.
Our needs for today and Your blessings to enrich it. And good rest when dark falls.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 16th February 2024
Words to sing to ourselves or to each other for encouragement – and make us thankful..

Verse 1:
Children of the living God come and sing sing out loud
children of the living God Sing to the Living God

Verse 2:
Sing of the wonders he has made bird in flight falling rain
Sing of the wonders he has made sing to the living God

Chorus:
How he loves us with great love he who sits enthroned above
for our lives he spilled his blood sent his spirit like a flood
Children of the Living God sing to the living God

Verse 3:
Sing of his gentle healing hands how they found the lowliest man
sing of his gentle healing hands sing to the living God

Verse 4:
Sing of the mercy that he gives though we sin he forgives
sing of the mercy that he gives sing to the living God

Verse 5:
Sing for the morning when he comes in the clouds glorious son
sing for the morning when he comes sing to the living God

Lyrics: Fernando Ortega