He will hold me fast – Page 2

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.

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

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

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

Tuesday 5th March 2024

“Through him (Jesus) you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:21 NIV

“Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.” 1 Peter 1:21 NLT

Lord God,

Positive verses like all is great now. But how often the disciples turned to Jesus because they were afraid. Once they thought he had gone to sleep when they were about to drown (Mark 4:38). I’d have been terrified. He stopped the storm with a word and asked them why they were so afraid (Mark 4:40). We now live with Your Spirit alive in Him and Him in us, we are learning to trust. We look back and see how You have been there for us every step of the way. We glimpse how You were working in our lives always for good.

So we chose, we choose, to put our trust in You and have faith because of Jesus. And to be sure there will be storms and times of questioning life is not a bowl of cherries! Not sure where that saying comes from! But we will find in those times that You are holding us. It is a pro active two way relationship. You and me, Lord. Cemented in place by Jesus. Help us to trust as we go and grow.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Lord God,

For family, friends, neighbours, hold them safe, send them all they need to be well today.
Bless our church family and all the lent groups that are meeting across this nation.
For all the Royal family. King Charles and Camilla, Prince William, Kate and family for healing.
For our government. Focus all sides of the Lords and Commons on the common good for the people of this nation.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle and soon. Have mercy. Bless and prosper those delivering aid and medical care.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. Give success to the search for peace and help those trying to deliver aid to where it is needed.
For the church in Ukraine, Myanmar and the underground churches. Keep them safe and strong.
For our community and those most vulnerable. For all the support agencies and volunteer groups.
For us to bring our praise and thanks for last week and know You are going before us into this week. Smoothing the way and building our trust.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 5th March 2024

The words to this hymn “He Will Hold Me Fast” were originally written by: Ada Ruth Habershon. Matthew Merker read the words while going through a period of questioning in his faith journey. Through his struggle and working out of his faith, he emerged stronger. The questions were not too big for God. The resultant modern version of the hymn are powerful and comforting.

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

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

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
‘Til our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last!

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