Great is thy faithfulness – Page 2

Saturday 6th April 2024

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Lyrics: Thomas Obadiah Chisholm

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. ⁹When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. ¹⁰Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹²Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:7-14 NIV

God who came and loved us,

153 fishes. So exact a number. It reminds me that You, God do not do things slap dash or by chance. And who added them up? The fishermen? To show it was a miracle!? For me the number of fish can be a distraction from the real miracle. The risen Lord waiting for them, to serving them. The risen Lord waiting to give them their daily bread and encourage them. The risen Lord waiting to assure them that He was not dead, all they had learned was true and to give them hope for the future.

We wake up and start the day. Risen Lord, You are there waiting to greet us, feed us, encourage us. Love us. What a miracle. Help us to remember right at the start of our day. And to respond as Peter did, rushing to speak to You first. Even if it is only to say good morning my Lord, my King and my friend.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of miracles,

For our family, friends and neighbours. For Your joy God, and good health to greet them as they awake, along with the knowledge they are loved.
For our church fellowship. Ministers and all who serve and attend worship and mid week events.
For the royal family. Healing. Strength for those stepping in to cover engagements.
For our Parliament, county councils and local councils. Raise up good men and women this summer to stand in the next general election.
For our local community, those who live and work near us.
For school teachers and staff and pupils a good break and enthusiasm for next term.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war and drive them in paths of peace.
For all those affected by the earthquake in Taiwan. Those seeking to give aid and help.
For those who do not have the security of daily bread or fresh water. Provide and send aid.
For us thank you for our daily bread. For all those who have toiled to provide.

Lord in Your name we pray, Amen.

Tuesday 12th March 2024

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV

God who reigns,

There is so much to think about in these verses. And at their heart, the reminder that Jesus lives and still loves this fallen world. Thank God You do. Jesus. Made a refugee as a small child, the family fleeing to save hiss life. Returning to his own people ruled by Romans and under their military law. He healed the sick, raised the dead and told the truth but was hated by the religious leaders. Persecuted, condemned unjustly, tried unfairly, beaten to within an inch of his life and put to death cruelly, slowly. He knew times of testing, disappointment, frustration and temptation. Yet he displayed only faith, hope, joy, purpose and love.

Now You call us to live the life You, God have set before us. Well run it actually! Suggesting no hesitating or going backwards? Some challenge! Then we see Jesus, who has finished the race and has come back by His Spirit to run it with us. At our speed, to ensure we make it to the finishing line. Thank You that You, God, cheer us on, give us the nourishment we need and keep us going whether a sprint or a pootle.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who reigns,

For family, friends, neighbours, hear and answer their needs and prayer. Keep them safe.
For our church family and keep them faithful. Bless the lent groups as they study.
For the Royal family. Ongoing healing, medical privacy and for healing for family rifts.
For our government. Raise up good men and women to serve and keep them focused on good.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace. So families can be reunited.
For Gaza. A peaceful way forward. Help those delivering aid to where it is needed.
For a harvest of new people and believers to the churches this Easter.
For Haiti, not in the news but still in the control of drug and criminal gangs, widespread poverty.
For families to thrive and children enjoy childhood. For single parents to find support and thrive.
For adopted and fostered children’s safety and nurture and best.
For us a day to relax in Your faithfulness and appreciate nature as it begins to awake with spring.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 12th March 2024
No apologies for having this familiar hymn again. Settle back and be assured, we have His faithful presence to cheer and to guide . . . always.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.

Thomas O. Chisholm was born in 1866 in a Kentucky log cabin. He did not have an academic education but at 16 became a schoolteacher in the same schoolhouse where he was educated. Later he became associate editor of the local newspaper and later an editor of the Pentecostal Herald in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1893 aged 26, Thomas made the most important decisions of his life and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. In 1903, he was ordained a minister, but was forced to limit his years of service due to poor health. Throughout his life, Thomas wrote hundreds of poems. Great is Thy faithfulness was put to music by his friend William Runyan.

Wednesday 24th January 2024

The steadfast Love of the Lord never changes, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 22, 23.

Faithful God,

How encouraging is this little verse. Plucked out from the book of Lamentations, not a book known for its joy and humour! Jeremiah bewails the pain and loss of freedom of the land of Judah, the Temple and the exile of all the leaders to Babylonia around (586bc) and maybe even growing old.

In the verses before this little burst of hope, he says You have filled him with bitterness, made him drink wormwood (very unpleasant), broken his teeth with gravel and covered him with ashes. In other words, he is really, really not in a good place. He is down and depressed physically, spiritually and mentally. Yet in the midst he suddenly remembers he is not consumed. In the middle of it he knows your compassion will not fail him, it is new each day.

In the middle of the mess our world, our Government and councils are in, today, and where the weather is still playing havoc . . . we remember Your mercies Lord. We are not consumed, Your mercies will not come to an end, because Your compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. Help us to remember, each new day, every new morning we awake, Your faithfulness.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer
Faithful One,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. To know Your faithfulness, compassion and blessings.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. To grow in compassion.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. Direct and guide them.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them. Raise up the right people to stand in the elections, grant us a good Government.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle, many miracles . . . Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . change people, situations, hearts, politics.
For international relationships and politics.
For those who provide others with shelter and help, for the homeless, the victims of abuse.
For the gift of friendship. Protection from scammers, liars and those who would take advantage or the vulnerable.
For those who have been bereaved.
For those who have welcomed new baby to the family. For the new baby found abandoned last week and the mother.
For ourselves, a good day full of light, cheerfulness upheld by You faithfulness and the promise of a good nights sleep to come..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 24th January 2024
Yes, this was last Fridays worship but had to have it again.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside

Thomas O. Chisholm wrote this originally as a poem in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime. He sent the words to William Runyan in Kansas, who put the poem to music. A great much loved favourite in many denominations. Billy Graham frequently used this hymn on his international crusades. It speaks to the head and the heart.