“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. 2 Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises. 3 Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy.” 4 The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever..5 I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. 6 Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. 7 My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon. 8 “O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.” 9 Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.” Hosea 14:1-9 NLT
Lord Our God,
Last words, end of books, summaries. Here is Hosea’s. After all the judgement, rebellion and unfaithfulness he has clearly put before the Your people, he sums up with an opt out option. Even if they do not take it, which they do not at this time, it is there as a witness. Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever. (Hosea 14:4) What an option! God is forever open to embrace someone seeking His forgiveness.
Then when we read the end of the Bible, the last chapter of Revelation we find Lord Your promise, “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.” (Revelation 22:14,15) and “Come. Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17. What an option for us, for anyone!
I choose Christ, choose the robe of righteousness, choose life, choose to drink deeply of God’s love for all eternity. Thank You for Your written Word and thank You for speaking the Word into our history and for being unchangeable in Your commitment, love and faithfulness.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 20th July 2025
The words, nobody said it would be easy come to mind . . .
I will choose Christ
I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart
I give my life
I give all to You
Some days are hard
And I fight to see the truth
But I’m gonna take a stand
In all I say and do
I will choose Christ
I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart
I give my life
I give all to You
Some fall away
And some refuse to see
A willing and humble heart
I pray You’ll find in me
I will choose Christ
I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart
I give my life
I give all to You
You are grace
You are peace
You are hope and healing
You are faith
You are joy
You are God revealing
Jesus
My Lord and King
I will choose Christ
I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart
I give my life
I give all to You
Lyrics: Tom Booth & Kathy Triccoli