Daily Prayer Devotional – Page 28

Monday 29th April 2024

“But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 NET

God only wise,

Thank you for those days when all is going well and we feel good and, may even have achieved something to make us feel good. Other days we drop a cup or forget something and we give ourselves a telling off or are disappointed in ourselves. We are all different! Some of us beat ourselves up more than we should. Some can still hear our parents criticism!. Some can feel good about themselves. Others can be full of positivity and forgive themselves easily!

You bring us all down to earth together, not to remind us of our abilities and disabilities. Not to say who is right and who is wrong. But to remind us we are all chosen. Chosen because we are wanted and loved just as we are and not for what we can do. And our wisdom is foolishness when measured next to Yours. But You, God choose us to put Your love within us so we can love ourselves and have abundant love others. And its a life times journey to understand the depth of Your love for us (Ephesians 3:18).

You choose the low the despised? Well, the arrogant do not need You God, the self satisfied do not need You either! Paul lived under Romans occupation. He knew what it was to be of no value in his own land. Slaves, women had no rights. Some would say for some not much has change. We are all under some authority. But regardless of who You are and what you think of yourself this Scripture says You God choose us to confound the mighty with our faith. You give us Your wisdom to shame the wise.

Thank You for choosing us, loving us, sending Christ. Keep our hearts open to do Your will.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God only wise,

For our family and friends. Light their way ahead whatever they are going through.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Thank You for each other.
For the royal family. Continuing help and healing.
For our Parliament. For local elections.
For Ukraine, peace. A supernatural end to war. We look to You.
For Gaza, a way to live with neighbours, together in peace.
For Sudan, Myanmar, all other places of conflict and Military oppression.
For our local: police, hospitals, doctors, justice system, fire service . . .
For the Christians in countries where there is persecution, famine and poverty.
For the agencies providing medical treatment and aid in war zones.
We thank You for all the colours of the season. Cherry blossom, tulips, lighter skies and evenings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 29th April 2024
If you are not familiar with the music or it is not your taste, I hope you find the words reassuring.

The idea for “Who Am I” came to Mark while he was driving home with his wife and children one night. He was having a personal worship time during the drive and recounts that he wondered “Who am I to think I can just call up to God whenever I want, from the middle of nowhere, and expect Him to hear me?” Immediately he started thinking, “I’m a new creation, I’m more than a conqueror… I’m [also] grass, that is rises up and is gone in a day”.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours

Lyrics: Mark Hall of Casting Crowns.

Sunday 28th April 2024

“He fashioned two bronze pillars; each pillar was 27 feet high and 18 feet in circumference. ¹⁶He made two bronze tops for the pillars; each was 7½ feet high.¹⁷The latticework on the tops of the pillars was adorned with ornamental wreaths and chains; the top of each pillar had seven groupings of ornaments.”
²⁰On the top of each pillar, right above the bulge beside the latticework, there were 200 pomegranate-shaped ornaments arranged in rows all the way around. ²¹He set up the pillars on the porch in front of the main hall. He erected one pillar on the right side and called it Yakin; he erected the other pillar on the left side and called it Boaz.” 1 Kings 7:15-17, 20-21 NET

God who establishes,

Yesterdays reading about You establishing us, brought to my mind the pillars in the Temple (1 Kings) called Yakin and Boaz. No idea why they popped into my thoughts but You know Lord. People often look up the meaning of names when they choose one for their baby. Hiram who oversaw the making or these ginormous pillars gave them names to reflected Your character and what they stood for. Huge, solid and immovable.

Enormous, intricate carved at the top, and certainly unmissable. Seen every time someone entered the Your house. On the right, Yakin or Jakin – He builds. On the left Boaz, He establishes. Jesus said on his triumphal entry (Palm Sunday, Luke 19:40) that if they silenced the people even the stones would cry out!

These solid pillars witnessed and foretold of Your faithfulness in both establishing and building Your Temple and then Your “church”. First in stone and then in people. Today we are Your living temple and You help us be established and stand firm in faith. Jesus promised, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.” (Revelation 3:12). Thank You for Your faithfulness in the big things and the little things. For establishing us in You and Your truth.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who establishes,

For our family and friends. For all that is going on in their lives, be a present help.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Thanksgiving for our and all Your churches.
For the royal family. Continuing help and healing.
For our Parliament. For local elections.
For Ukraine, peace. A supernatural end to war. We look to You.
For Gaza, a way to live with neighbours, together in peace.
For Sudan, Myanmar, all other places of conflict and Military oppression.
For our local: police, hospitals, doctors, justice system, fire service . . .
For the Christians in countries where there is persecution, famine and poverty.
For the agencies providing medical treatment and aid in war zones.
For ourselves thank You for the blessing of reading both Your word and books and magazines.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship 8unday 28th April 2024
The story of this worship song is below the lyrics.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,
And think I’ve lost my way.
Still, you’re there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide
And hold me to your side
I will love you to the end

Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
And a light unto my path
You’re the light unto my path

Lyrics: Amy Lee Grant / Michael Whitaker Smith

Michael Smith originally came up with the song’s melody and some words for the chorus from David’s Psalm about being “a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). He gave Amy the demo and she loved it. Michael had no idea what the verses were supposed to say so he asked her if she would finish it.
Later that night as she walked back to her cabin on the 8,000 acre Caribou ranch she got lost. Alone in bear country, she finally saw a lamp and started walking towards the light, but didn’t realize that it was her cabin. She walked into that little cabin and sat down with a notebook and pen and wrote the verses.

Saturday 27th April 2024

“But it is God who establishes us together with you in Christ and who anointed us,who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NET

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV

God,

Who anoints us and seals us with with Your Holy Spirit. I want to start this day with praise and thanksgiving, even if I do not feel like it always? You remind me that whatever the day holds, or the week, or the month or even the year, You are not just available – You are with us, living in us.

We use all sorts of analogies about our faith – we walk with You (Colossians 2:6), You lead us like a Shepherd in paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3b), You call us to run the race (Hebrews 12:1). But here it is about being stationary, unmoving, on a secure foundation. Establishing You first, the rock on which we build everything else. We cannot build on the hope of heaven or the hope of sin forgiven or the hope that You love us. Or in the hope we will be alright. You establish us and enable us to stand first in the only safe place, in Christ. The guarantee was signed in blood and nothing can ever change or negate that. A done deed.

Thank You for the many ways You daily reassure us that we are secure in You. Thank You for the billions of like minded believers standing firm around the world together. Thank You that when we wobble You hold us firm. Today is a good day because of You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God our rock,

For our family and friends. Good health and glimpse Your life in creation.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Bless our churches with all they need.
For the royal family. Healing and strength for those taking public and private commitments.
For our Parliament. Help them to serve this earthly kingdom.
For Ukraine, peace. A supernatural end to war. We look to You.
For Gaza, a way to live with neighbours, together in peace.
For Sudan, Myanmar, all other places of conflict and Military oppression. Bring them to the end to war. Speak Your peace to hard hearts.
For our local: police, hospitals, doctors, justice system, fire service . . .
For the Christians in countries where there is persecution, famine and poverty.
For the agencies providing medical treatment and aid in war zones.
For a day free of worry and stress and time to smile in Your company.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 27th April 2024
Calm praise and worship. Inspiration for song below lyrics.

You are beautiful beyond description,
Too marvellous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty, enthroned above!

And I stand, I stand in awe of You!
I stand, I stand in awe of You!
Holy God, to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You!

Lyrics: Mark Altrogge

Mark says he wished he had some jaw-dropping tale of being caught up to the third heaven and handed a scroll with the lyrics written in gold ink. Or driving in his car and having a flash of divine inspiration. No, ha says his song writing is a pedestrian and mundane process.

He had been reading The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul, The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer, and The Attributes of God by Stephen Charnock. He was amazed at God’s infinitely holiness. Infinite power. Infinite love. Infinite wisdom. Throughout eternity, those he redeems will never come to an end of seeing new vistas of his glory, majesty and beauty. So he thought he’d write a song about the wonder and glory of God’s infinite attributes. How hard could that be?! He began to scribble down what eventually became verse 1.

The first line pretty came early but he kept writing, rewriting, playing his guitar and singing the lines over and over, looking for the best melody. He wanted an appropriate response to be the chorus about standing in awe, in amazement, giving God all praise. After many hours of trying many variations he came up with the chorus.