Tag: Goodness of God

Sunday 18th August 2024

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:3-7 NLT

God,
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was difficult to know where to stop the passage above. This letter to the Ephesians launches, after greetings, into the reason for writing with such gusto. It would be like interrupting someone on a roll and a great positive encouraging roll. He wants the reader to know all the blessings in You through Christ.

Moses when he wanted Your people to remember Your blessings, had half the people stand on one hill and half on another nearby. One side gave the curses of disobeying You, God and the other the blessings of obedience. Paul does not dwell on the negatives of disobedience because these people have committed themselves to doing the right thing in Jesus and are hungry to grow.

So Paul energizes and encourages them. It is a beautiful passage which we can reread putting me in the place of us . . . we. So it reads, who has blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because I am united with Christ. Even before You, God made the world You loved me . . . powerful blessings. What a blessing. We worship You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

God,
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

For our close family. Health and hearts..
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and our denomination churches.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World kings, dictators, leaders and rulers.
For our nation to desire good and well being for each other.
For Ukraine. We persist in seeking You for an end to war.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions and long term peace.
For our emergency services, those who faithfully work their shifts.
For life guards, coastguards, the the lifeboat volunteers.
For market gardeners and the harvest of local beautiful summer provision in this nation.
For children. Parents still working. Guardians and grandparents and those helping mind them.
For those providing food for families here and in villages overseas in famine.
For us a blessed day, a day to be blessed and a day to share our blessings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 18th August 2024
I love this worship song.

I love You, Lord
Oh 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

Cause 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
And in 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

And all my life You have been faithful, oh
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, yeah

‘Cause 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,
‘Cause 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

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

‘Cause 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’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Jenn Johnson and Bethel Music

Jenn Johnson shared with Fox News that the song had been inspired by the process of adopting her fourth child, as she had been singing impromptu into her phone while driving on a long country road about the faithfulness and kindness of God. Sge then developed the song from her impromptu recording.










Thursday 4th July 2024

 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:8-10 NKJV


Father God,

I linger here along with this woman by this well, not just because this shows that Jesus cared and gave one woman his whole attention. But because Your Son did not follow the social rules of the day. Your Son spoke to her with respect, honesty and without judgement. He knew she would be there at that time. It was not chance or coincidence. Your Son was the foreigner in her land and yet he broke down the barriers to show that the Kingdom of God is open to all regardless of where we were born, their gender, life experience or religious background..

It was the beginning of the disciples seeing and understanding that You, our God so loves every person in the world. Not just those born into the nation of Israel. This ordinary woman then becomes Your spokesperson to the Samaritans! A woman in her fifth relationship after 4 husbands! Many of the Samaritans believed in Your Son because of her testimony (John 4:39). She begins to widen the diversity of the early Christian community and the discipleship of women.

Help me to see the world as You see it. The opportunity to reach one person at a time regardless of who they are, where they come from and what they believed previously. You meet us just where we are, as we are. You have no prejudice and no preconceived ideas. You just see a person needing Your Son and His life. She listened and heard. Point us to those who need to hear, will listen and accept life.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For our family, friends, neighbours. Meet them where they are and bless them with Your real life.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Give opportunities to share the good news.
We pray for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Charles family. Princess Anne.
For the general election and the best for this nation.
For France and their political situation.
For Paris and athletes preparing for the 2024 Olympics, starting July 26th 2024.
For Christians preparing to serve at the Olympics ready to pray or share their faith.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Peace and the best future for all.
For Ukraine, an end to war. We continue to ask for a miracle from You.
For our local communities and all who keep them running smoothly and safely.
For our nations health and well being as Covid continues to appear.
For those who ensure we have clean safe water.
For a change in attitude and behaviour of those who pollute our rivers and coast.
For those who dig wells overseas and provide villages with local clean water pumps.
For us where ever we find ourselves to know You are encouraging us and giving us refreshment at Your well of life.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 4th July 2024
This song reflects how good God has been to me since I first met Him at the well.

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

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

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

Cause 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

‘Cause 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’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Ed Cash, Ben Fielding, Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson.


Tuesday 14th November 2023

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26 NIV

Father of Glory,

I wonder! Nobody today likes to talk about denying themselves anything. New years resolutions are quickly forgotten and lent is not really a time of denial anymore. Or am I being too cynical Lord? You gave up Your only Son to Your cruel creation. Jesus called His disciples to do likewise, deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Him. I wonder if they wondered why he was talking about crucifixion, the horrendous death for criminals! It must have hit home after Jesus was crucified, dead and buried.

He called them to take up their cross after he told them He must be rejected by the religious leaders and be put to death (Luke 9:22). Perhaps they did not dare ask to many questions.

I thank You that I do not have to literal take up my cross and become a martyr. Many are put to death for their faith in parts of the world today. And we wonder why Your people, who are called to love, are hated so, but then You were too (John 15:18). Following You does mean dying to self. Not ourselves, but the selfish self. All the things that would harm us. Worshipping anything else but You. Over indulging. Immorality. Lying. Jealousy. Malice. Pride. Thinking too much of ourself or not loving ourself.

It is a challenge sometimes, but it is the safest, best, right and most joyful way. Help us one day at a time, one step at a time, to die to self direction and follow You, in Your strength.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father of Glory,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For each ones need, dreams, hopes and strength for today. We give thanks for answered prayers.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities.
For our Government, that You would guide and reform it, for the good of the nation.
For our King and Queen and those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to this conflict.
For those in the midst of conflict, whose share their faith, to see people choose Christ Jesus.
For those who suffer for their faith, risk loosing their lives and for the families of those who are left behind. For those in the worst places for persecution: North Korea , Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria, India.
For countries where Your people face the most violence. Pakistan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon, Central African Republic, India, Mali, South Sudan, Ethiopia.
For ourselves, that we would appreciate the freedom we have to follow You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 14th November 2023
Yes, a hymn I choose again because it says just what I want to say in worship.

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

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

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

‘Cause 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

‘Cause 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

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’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Ed Cash, Ben Fielding, Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson and Jenn Johnson.