“He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
Colossians 1:18-20 NET
God of reconciliation,
Lord I can’t move on from this passage yet . . . Reconcile – to restore relationships. There was a time when I wasn’t sure there was a God. Then I was not sure if I needed to do anything about it even if there was one. There came a time when I needed Your help God and I did not know if I could ask or how. Then there was a time when You, the invisible God became real. Like a light bulb going on. I knew You were real. I could know You personally through Jesus and know Your loving kindness (Romans 2:4). And in coming to the cross I was reconciled, able to know You and be loved.
There is a God. I believe. I know You through Jesus. I can approach Your holiness because Jesus makes me holy. I had to admit I had been wrong. We are not always too keen on doing that! Admitting we have been wrong. But we can only come to the cross humble to find forgiveness, be reconciled and have a relationship with You. Keep us humbly acknowledging You are God and You know best.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of reconciliation,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World kings, dictators, leaders and rulers.
For Ukraine. Please end war, soon. Reconcile Putin by Your Spirit with thoughts of peace.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for a reconciliation and lasting peace.
For those suffering from and working to stop the outbreak of Mpox across Africa. For vaccines.
For those who work to help reconcile broken marriages, families and hearts.
For new Christians here and in persecuted countries.
For us to take one day at a time and be thankful whatever today holds. Thankful You will help us through whatever comes.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 22nd August 2024
The story of the song is below, under the lyrics.
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You
You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray
Lyrics: Eddie Espinola
The year was 1982. I had been a Christian since 1969, but I saw a lot of things in my life that needed to be discarded. I had slowly become very complacent. I acknowledged my complacency, and I prayed to the Lord, ‘The only way that I can follow you is for you to change my appetite, the things that draw me away. You must change my heart!'”
Shortly thereafter I was in my car on the way to my work, feeling a desire to draw near to God and with the wrestling still going on in my heart. Suddenly, a melody and some words began to flood through my mind. As I stopped at a stop sign I reached for something to write on. The first thing I found was a small piece of yellow paper, which, by the way, I still have, and began to write as rapidly as I could. It was like taking dictation. I wrote the words on the paper, and kept the melody in my mind.
Our church home was the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Anaheim, California, and someone told the pastor that I had written a song that would be good for the congregation to sing. The pastor asked me to play it for him, and afterwards asked if I would share it with the congregation.