“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:12-16 NKJV
God of eternity,
I was about to leave this verse when I saw that Paul then wraps up in a short sentence why we should work out our salvation and avoid disputing and shine as God’s lights. So that we stay safe and sure we will rejoice in the day of Christ. Whether that means when I reach heaven or if he comes again in my lifetime. In Christ I know I shall be safe and saved to life.
The last marathon I ran a few years ago had a time limit and some people were stopped half way because there was no way they could finish in time. All those of us past that mark made it to the end. I was second to last. But thinking about it, I was a finisher regardless of placing!!! I had not trained or run in vain I received my medal.
Imagine running through life and though there is no time limit to getting into heaven, finding You have stopped running or left the way and missed the finish. All that experience, running with Jesus, all that hope. Wasted.
Imagine having faith and giving up just before we receiving our reward. That is more than just a disappointment. It doesn’t bear thinking about. So hold us fast, help us hold fast to You and make the effort to keep going in Christ. Then we will see Him face to face and enter Your glorious future and heaven.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
God of Eternity,
We know You can see the whole picture and now is only a moment in time. But for those struggling now, ill now or lost it is pain and can seem like an eternity. So we bring them to You. Those we know and love and care about. Those finding old age hard work and those waiting to be born and those making big decisions. Hear and answer their and our prayers for today.
Grant Ukraine an end to war and peace without oppression. Hold fast in hope those in Libya and Morocco who need You to be their all in all right now.
The news reminds us how money, power and sex can be so harmful and damaging. We pray for those who are and have been victims at the hands of others Please help us in the battle of prevention and protection. Help those who use money and power in the right place and for the good of others. May sex not become an idol but a private blessing for those committed to each other in marriage.
Thank You for Your Holy Spirit’s comfort and power.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 22st Sept 2023
Guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Hold my hand while I run this race,
hold my hand while I run this race,
hold my hand while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Stand by me while I run this race,
stand by me while I run this race,
stand by me while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
I’m your child while I run this race,
I’m your child while I run this race,
I’m your child while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Lyrics: African-American spiritual.