Goodness of God – Start The Day

Friday 9th January 2026

“Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. ²Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. ³And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, ⁴to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord. ⁵Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. ⁶Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. ⁷And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. ⁸So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. ⁹Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”” Genesis 13:1-10 NKJV

Father God,

Yes they were doing really well and prospering in the land You God promised them. But success caused strife between the two families. Even in the best families there can be a little strife! But You have led them to a spacious place and there is enough room to expand, they did not need to fall out. How as churches we need to understand this and pray with and for each other.

Abraham has learned that You, God are worthy of his trust. You called him to move (Genesis 12:1-3). You kept him safe in famine in Egypt (Genesis 12:10). You protected his wife even though he lied about her to Pharaoh ( Genesis 12:17-20). You led him back to the place between Bethel and Ai when the famine was over to a good land (Genesis 13:1-4). So how does He cope with the strife? In peace. He talks with his nephew Lot. He looks at what there is in dispute and is generous. He gives Lot the first choice. He does not try to influence him because he knows he can trust You, God and Your promises.

Which ever Lot chooses, Abram knows he will be blessed. It is Lot who has not yet learned to choose Your way God. Help us to know that we can be generous and let others be blessed. We will not miss out. We can be generous because Your generosity Lord is endless and boundless towards us for good.

In Jesus name we give thanks, Amen.

Worship Friday 9th January 2026

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

All my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

Chorus

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
My life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after,
It’s running after me (oh)

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
My life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

Chorus: Twice

Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding, Jenn Johnson.

Tuesday 9th December 2025

“Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. ²When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. ³For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you.” Acts 24:1-3 NLT

“The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defence before you. ¹¹You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. ¹²My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. ¹³These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.¹⁴“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult.” Acts 24:10-14 NLT

“He (Felix) replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” ²⁶He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. ²⁷After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favour with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.” Acts 24:25-27 NLT

Our Father God and Judge,

Ananias tries to sweet talk Felix into a quick, good political judgement. One religious leader albeit it a subservient one to a political leader. Lets stick together . . . Paul has nothing to hide. Felix is caught between which decision will keep the peace, be fair and not upset his wife, a Jew?

So two years pass and he allows Paul to go about his business by a sort of house arrest but being allowed to go out and about and preach. He does not spend two years worrying, he takes each day as it comes and lives trusting You, God. Our life is not always as we would like it to be. Some concerns do not go away for years. Some times we struggle even though we have prayed. Paul had wanted to preach in Rome but maybe not the position he found himself in. And he did not know what Porcius Festus would do. But he continued to write such valuable teaching letters that we are still learning from today. Each day You give us Lord is precious even if hard. Help us to just to live in today as Jesus told us, to seek first His kingdom and righteousness and not to not worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33,34).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Tuesday 9th December 2025

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

‘Cos and all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

Chorus

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after,
It’s running after me (oh)

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

Chorus
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing

Chorus
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding, Jenn Johnson.

Tuesday 20th May 2025

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psalm 23 KJV

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
⁴Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
⁵You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
⁶Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Psalm 23 Message

God our eternal Shepherd,

It is good to read the most well know Psalm in different versions. Here one is a traditional translation and one a paraphrase. It stops us being too familiar even complacent thinking we know it and not letting You speak afresh to us through it. Even if I prefer one above the other it makes me consider what Your Word says and how it applies to my life. It makes me look at it again with fresh eyes.

This Psalm can become over familiar, often sung, being I think the most well known of all David’s Psalms by believers and those not sure. David could never have known how renowned his little verses would be. Written, many believe, at a very difficult time in his life when he was fleeing from his own son Absalom. He had family problems, was a refugee, had a loss of income and been rejected by all those who once supported him.

Life sometimes is not good. But . . . we can sit and dine on a rich banquet of Your love, Your provision and Your hope even when things look bleak or black. I love the thought that even when I am afraid or in flight mode Your love chases me to ensure I know I am loved and You are sticking with me. You are my Good Shepherd and the safest place to be is with You. I love You Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 20th May 2025
When I first heard this worship I wondered over the words about God’s goodness running after me. Now I see that they beautifully echo David’s words in Psalm 23:6!

Chorus
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing

Chorus
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding, Jenn Johnson.