He will hold me fast – Start The Day

Monday 13th January 2025

“Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” ¹⁶Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. ¹⁸Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” ¹⁹And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” ²⁰So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” Genesis 29:15-20 NKJV

Father God,

The schemer Jacob was outmanoeuvred or rather out scammed here! Leah was given to him in the dark after the revelling and then he had to promise to do another 7 years hard labour for Rachel even though she was given in marriage the next week. And he agreed. I wonder how he would have reacted before he encountered You, God who promised him a future? Perhaps he saw the bigger picture and perhaps You had worked on his heart so he could accepted their customs, the marriage to Leah and 7 more years labour.

One thing we learn early in life, is that we cannot always have our own way. And things can go wrong regardless. Knowing You, Lord, we learn that our thoughts are not always Your thoughts. Or rather as You say through Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” You know best. Jacob learned to be patient for 14 years while preparing for the next move. Father, praying for patience is a long hard lesson!

But we do pray, that like Jacob, when we are disappointed, misled or have the unexpected happen, that You will give us the peace of mind to seek You first. And be able to get on with whatever needs to be done in the best way possible. And trust You even if we have to be patient.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Monday 13th January 2025

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

Chorus

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last

Lyrics: Matthew Sherman Merker
From the hymn by: Ada R Habershon

Continue to pray for Los Angeles
Ukraine
Middle East
Our family, friends, church and neighbourhood.

Friday 6th September 2024

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. ⁹The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:8-9 NIV

“And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:15-17 NIV

Lord God,

Forbidden fruit. So many people, many Christians think it is about a forbidden apple! It actually refers to the fruit from the one forbidden tree. One tree among so many other fruiting trees in the orchard. ‘Not allowed’ makes it more tempting? If you tell a child not to do something they will often do it when they think you are not looking. Why do we just want to try a little bit of something we know we should not? Frightened of missing out? Looks good . . . so many sins start out with just a little nibble. Addiction is having to chasing the first taste as nothing after is ever as good.

Forbidden fruit could have been fig, pomegranate, orange, pear, plum, lime . . . a fruit we no longer see. It is good that it is not named because temptation comes in many disguises. We all have different weaknesses, as varied as the variety of fruit.

Forbidden fruit, even the name shows we know the truth. Some things should not be done, touched, or tried and will not be good for us. And God never leaves us without an opposite. The other special tree in the garden for them was the tree of life. They lost the right to eat from it. We had to wait till another tree gave us back the right to life. The tree upon which Jesus hung.

Every time we break bread or drink we can remember His words, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”” Luke 22:19,20) May Your Holy Spirit keep us from temptation, and may we remember each time we eat and drink the cost of life You gave us in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours. Miracles.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For Paralympians, family and coaches and those supporting.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). The Royal family’s continuing health.
For Ukraine. May Your will be to end war, soon. Protect and bless Your church.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Peace, peace talks, an end to retaliation and hostage release.
For the autumn term at our local schools starting and staff and pupils.
For the House of Commons resitting.
For addicts, counsellors, residential centres and Churches working with those recovering.
For our local hospitals, local police and fire brigades.
For those who face temptation every day and choose freedom, strength and support.
For us to be free to make good choices and know a blessed day and peaceful night.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 6th September 2024
Yes there are some songs I repeat because I can never be reminded enough -He will hold us fast.

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Monday 15th July 2024

“When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ²¹Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” John 6:16-21 NIV

Lord of all creation,

We know many of these events of Your earthly life so well, we almost glide over then sometimes.. Yet here we glimpse Your divine Son Jesus walking on water in a strong wind. Never mind that there are those who mock this passage. And Jesus had just removed the disciples from the miraculously fed crowd who were turning into more of a political mob. Possibly causing trouble that could get them arrested! (John 6:15).

Jesus must have told them to set off across the lake without Him. Or they would not have gone. But the truth is they were never out of His sight or away from His care. Sometimes You do send us into choppy circumstances but we too are never out of Your sight or Your care. You are faithful. But knowing You near or with us does not mean we will always have gentle breezes, still waters and pastures green (Psalm 23). It is not because we lack faith or have not prayed hard enough or claimed Bible verses. Sometimes the wind just blows and we have to row hard.

But never out of Your sight, never beyond Your care. You are faithful, You never leave us or forsake us. And because they were listening to Your direction, they made their destination. Help me to know the times when I need to keep rowing a bit longer and ask You to help.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord of all creation,

For our family, friends, neighbours.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For all those preparing for the Paris Olympics. Behand the scenes and those who will take part.
For Gaza, Middle East, continuing successful peace talks.
Ukraine. Send a miracle, an end to war.
For fishermen, ferry workers and food container ships.
For Life Boat crews.
For manual labourers, builders, engineers.
For a good day at work, at home, with friends or to help someone else. Even if the wind blows.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Monday 15th July 2024
My go to song, to sing to remind myself He will hold me fast.

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast