Tag: Daily Prayer Devotional

Thursday 23rd May 2024

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sin has been your downfall!” Hosea 14:1

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger will turn away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily, he will send down his roots like a cedar of Lebanon. 6 His young shoots will grow; his splendour will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 People will reside again in his shade; they will plant and harvest grain in abundance. They will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. Hosea: 14:4-7

Lord our God,

Our Saviour and the great and awesome judge, I AM. Hosea gives Your challenge, the same one You have been giving to men and women boys and girls since Adam and Eve. The same request Jesus came personally to deliver. To come to You, Father and seek forgiveness and restoration. To return to You and say sorry. The kind of sorry that says I will walk with You Your way. And Hosea paints an aromatic, colourful, rich picture of what awaits those who return to You, God.

You will heal us from following our own capricious, wanton, or depraved inclinations which get us into such a mess. And the little sins that can trip us up and confuse life. You will love us freely, and redirect all Your (righteous and holy) anger away from us and not retain a jot, not even a pipsqueak!

Sometimes I think I am not so bad, not so wanton, not so capricious or depraved! Then I recall sin isn’t large or small its just sin! And I know myself! I cannot get round, over, through or under it. I sin. So sorry Lord. I cannot try harder, I will just keep on keeping step with You, learning from you and doing my best. Breathe Your forgiveness and aromatic life into me today.

Keep us malleable (able to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking or cracking) as only You can, in Your immeasurable love.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord our God,

For our family and friends and neighbours. The best answer to their prayers. Daily bread.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Verdant growth and Your care.
For the royal family. What they need at this time and long term reconciliation.
For our nation, good growth, good government, good management, good living.
For godly men and women to shine in the run up to the general elections.
Ukraine, show Your power for peace and end war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Pause a time to talk, a time to not throw stones, talk peace.
For those who give food, time, money, support to church ministries here and overseas.
For Bible translators and those who take Bibles where they are needed.
For farmers and those who take care of the countryside and our protected nature areas.
For those who promote hedges, green stretches for wild life and choose not to use poisons.
For an appreciation that we are free to worship, have a Bible in our own language and have You right here right now.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 23nd May 2024

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Lyrics: Stuart Townend

Wednesday 22nd May 2024

“The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever. 5 I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. 6 Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. 7 My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon. 8 “O Israel, stay away from idols!

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.”9 Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.” Hosea 14:4-9 NLT

Lord of the wise,

Everything is verdant at the moment. Verdant – green with vegetation. Bursting with life. And You gave Your people a choice and clearly set out the benefits! Your way – verdant and full of life or the other. Then You sent Jesus. Not just Israel had the choice of knowing You. Today we rejoice that we too, who were not of Your people, can now be Your people and rejoice in these promises because of Jesus (1 Peter 2:10).

What a sensory picture Hosea paints with words. On rereading, I can see in my minds eye, dew on grass, lilies, shady trees, fields of corn, laden grape vines in the sun. And You our Father, speaking of how we can grow and have the best of Your love, light and nurturing.

Help us flourish. As the parable of the sower reminds us, to be good soil so our seed of faith can grow good (Matthew 13:8). Rooted and built up in Jesus, strengthened in the faith as we were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7). And today, we can be assured of Your love and Your care.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord of the wise,

For our family and friends and neighbours. For each one an answer to their hearts prayer.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Verdant growth and Your tangible care.
For the royal family. What they need at this time and long term reconciliation.
For our nation, good growth, good government, good management, good living.
Ukraine, show Your power for peace and end war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Pause a time to talk, a time to not throw stones, talk peace.
For those who are thinking about who Jesus is – a revelation of Your love for them.
Those who give food to food banks and those who manage them.
For farmers and those who take care of the countryside and our protected nature areas.
Those who promote hedges, green stretches for wild life and choose not to use poisons.
For us to know Your help, strength and care in our day today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Wednesday 22nd May 2024
The words of good hymns stand the test of time.
This poem, penned in 1922 by Rhea F Miller, was left on a piano by Bev Shea who wanted her son George to find it. He did and it changed his life.  The words of, I’d rather have Jesus, inspired George to change his own goals and ambitions in life. He sat at the piano and began singing the poem to a tune that just seemed to fit. Shea’s mother heard him singing and requested him to sing it at church. George had a popular music career with NBC, but years later chose to work with evangelist Billy Graham. George sang this hymn around the world and with Billy challenged many to trust in Jesus.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I’d rather be His than have riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs.
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

Lyrics: Rhea F Miller





Tuesday 21st May 2024

“The people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, making themselves as worthless as a half-baked cake! 9 Worshiping foreign gods has sapped their strength, but they don’t even know it.” Hosea 7:8,9 New Living Translation.

God of mountains and valleys,

What an image – a half baked cake. No use for anything. Some of these writings of Your Old Testament prophets do not mince their words Lord. They are words of judgement on a rebellious nation. We cannot change history or that each generation needs to find You afresh for themselves. Then I wonder at the miracle of how after Jesus came, how one generation has led the next to Christ. Each has made its impact on what church looks like, sounds like and behaves like. All because Your Spirit came and personally ensured each generation could meet You. The church has survived economic depression, world wars, cold wars, pandemics and changing politics around the world. Its a miracle, the Good News is still changing lives.

We too minge with godless people not necessarily foreigners, many had Christian parents but are evolutionists or putting their faith in food fads or health fads or science. That’s why Hosea’s words of warning are still relevant. We live in this world, friends and neighbours do not believe but we keep our faith. We do not take on their godlessness lest we become “as worthless as a half baked cake”!

As for me I will serve You, Lord. Keep us risen in You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of mountains and valleys,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Bless them and open their ears to hear Your Spirit..
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Fill them with Your Spirit.
For the royal family. What they need at this time and long term reconciliation.
For our Government. For our county councils and local councils. Godly decisions and vision.
For Ukraine, show Your power for peace and end war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Pause a time to talk, a time to not throw stones, talk peace.
For those who are thinking about who Jesus is – a revelation of Your love for them.
For all those who bake for charity and church.
Those who give food to food banks and those who manage them.
Those who give to the charities who feed in disaster areas and in famine and war.
For all those who will choose to do good this week, to help and serve.
For those still suffering from drinking the affected water. Speedy recovery.
For our water sources and those responsible for keeping our water safe.
For those who take purification systems and dig wells overseas where there is no clean water.
For us to have a good Tuesday and rest of the week with You whatever comes. Busy or quiet. Challenging or peaceful.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 21st May 2024
A beautiful Salvation Army song – details of the writer are below the lyrics.

As the varied way of life we journey,
Come the plains and then the mountainside,
Come the days of joy when birds are singing,
And the world is fair and sweet and wide;
Then a deeper joy comes, overfilling,
From the everlasting throne of love,
And all other joy is but an echo
From the ever-blessed heights above.

There are shadows on the earthly pathway
Where, at times uncertainly, we tread;
In perplexity we halt and linger
Till our faith again is upward led.
For the heights of truth are ever calling,
And celestial radiance from afar
On our pilgrim way is gently falling
For our comfort where the shadows are.

In the days of peace and golden sunshine,
In the days of joy. or days of woe,
There is confidence in him who holds us;
There is light to guide us here below.
And beyond await the heights of rapture
Where all earthly joys, transcended, fade
In the glory of the Saviour’s presence,
In the home eternal he has made.

Lyrics by: Lily Sampson,

Born in Perth Australia in 1906, Lily became a Salvation Army officer, served in varying appointments: as a minister, in a children’s home, at territorial headquarters and on the staff of the training college. Lily served in India, where she was Territorial Young People’s Secretary, in Madras, Telegu. In 1956 she returned to Australia to serve in court and prison work. Finally as a State Social Secretary in Queensland.

Retired she still contributed as a pianist at Burwood Salvation Army, New South Wales. In all that journeying and those varied circumstances, she knew life’s mountains and valleys, sunshine and shadows. Her strong faith in God enabled her to carry on until she was Promoted to Glory in 2000.