“Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.” Luke 24:35-40 NLT
“One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”” John 20:24-27
Father God,
I love hearing testimonies not just about meeting You for the first time but of how You are working in peoples everyday lives. These two disciples walking along together. Their hearts burned as they listened to scripture and understood it. Thank You that sometimes scripture speaks directly to our situation. The first disciples discovering for us that they could trust You and have no need to fear whether in a storm on a boat or gathered together in grief and confusion.
And it shows us that we can have doubts and voice them and ask for Your help. You know anyway, we are just being truthful! You are there for the church and for each one of us in our own situation. And being united together even with our doubts can help us grow stronger by looking to You. Questions are good, you said we should ask, seek and find (Matthew 7:7). I am so glad I do not have to know everything, I can have weak moments and am allowed to have times when I need help in understanding. I never need fear You whether You need to correct, direct or comfort me.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 14th November 2025
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. ( Song of Solomon 2:1
I have found a friend in Jesus,
He’s ev’rything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The “Lily of the Valley,” in Him alone I see,
all I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me ev’ry care on Him to roll;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,”
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne,
in temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
from my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,”
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
while I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
with His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory, to see His blessed face,
where rivers of delight shall ever roll;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,”
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
Lyrics: Charles W Fry