“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:3 NKJV
Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:8),
I am not sure when I first believed in You, God. It may have been as a small child hearing the Bible story about the lost sheep. I know I was much older when I consciously asked Your Son, Jesus into my life. At that time I was convinced not only that You were God but that Jesus died for me. I can remember the lovely couple who first clearly told me the gospel and which stayed with me until I was ready to choose.
Paul says he delivered the good news that Christ died for our sin to the Corinthians first. The good news, the gospel. And reading his letter to the church makes it look easy to successfully spread the good news. But they had it tough too. In conversation with a friend, when I offered prayer, they said they did not believe in God but science – and did not need prayer. I too believe in science but that You, God created its order and laws. Then I remembered that Paul did not always have success, he was sometimes opposed (Acts 18:6). And some people like me need time to think it through.
So I do not loose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16), we must not lose heart. Others will listen and hear. And the church is growing. And You know those whose hearts are ready to accept the gift of Your Son. Help us not take offence but go on offering to pray and witnessing to Your goodness.
Thank You for our faith and knowing You,
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God, who we know in Jesus,
For our family and friends. Their hopes and needs for today and keep speaking to their hearts.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Encouragement and provision.
For the royal family. For Charles return to public work, A successful end to Kate’s treatment.
For our Parliament, Local elections and good hearts to serve.
For local elections of Police Commissioners.
For Ukraine, we plead for peace. An end to war. May it be Your will.
For Gaza, a way to live with neighbours, together in peace.
For Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict and Military oppression. Respect for life and children.
For countries where Christians are persecuted. Convert the persecutors as You did Saul to Paul.
For aid agencies and medical help in the midst of turmoil. and danger.
For our schools safety, universities and our young people. Raise up the godly leaders of tomorrow.
For today encourage us to offer to pray for those we meet and share our love of You. Thanks for spring dawning afresh this year.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Worship Thursday 2nd May 2024
We had this song last Sunday at church. The words are so helpful to worship and refocus.
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
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
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick
A major Christian conference in the UK asked a number of songwriters to consider writing specific material to accompany the Bible readings at their event the following year. The book of Philippians had been chosen. Graham began seeking inspiration by reading Philippians asking God to draw his attention what might be the seed of a song. He came to the passage where Paul lists his impressive qualifications, and then dramatically sweeps them all aside for the sake of one supreme aim – to know Christ.
He began to experiment with the phrase ‘knowing you’. Having written the chorus he set out to paraphrase the key verses of the scripture text into a singable form. A great challenge because the Bible does not rhymes and there is a danger that in shaping a lyrical form something is lost.
Eventually, and with some input from one of his church leaders, some private ‘road testing at his church, the song was finished. Many people have learned this song without realising where it is derived from and have commented to Graham, “I found your song in the bible!”.