“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”” Mark 11:1-3 NET
Lord of Eternity,
Seeing You in all the detail and fulfilling prophesy is so encouraging. Seeing time in relation to You, the beginning, Your coming to earth, Your death and the promise that You will come again. You are the creator of time it does not control You. Everything in Your order and time not something we will run out of.
And I love that this little beast of burden, a donkey was born at exactly the right time. to be available and of service to You. Born to serve and fulfil his divine task. Like Balaam’s donkey obeying God and who saved his masters life by standing still, even though he got beaten (Numbers 22:21-31).
The donkey in this story was a colt but grown enough to bear the weight of Jesus. He had to be untied and taken to where he was needed. He chose to be obedient. Well behaved even though it was a new experience. He chose not to be afraid, not to want to be the centre of attention. He chose to be content, patient and obedient.
Untie us Lord from fear and worry so we too can learn to be content, patient and obedient where You have placed us. In whatever season of life we are in. Willing to let all those around us know we love and serve You. Willing to be directed by You. Untied, set free from sin to love and serve You, just where we are.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord of eternity,
For our family, extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family.
For the Prime Minister and government, commons and Lords. Selection of new opposition leader.
For Gaza, Middle East, Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, send hope. Medical aid and food.
For Ukraine. Bereaved families. Families still in other countries. Change Putin’s heart to end war.
For Myanmar freedom from cruel military control. Protect Your church people.
For the ongoing Olympic games.
For those tied down by sin and addiction. Your freedom.
For the millions of people we serve You everyday in small tasks. For faithful background servers.
For the lift givers, the encouragers, the washerup-ers, the listeners, the welcomers.
For a day to be able to encourage or serve someone or make them feel good.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 2nd August 2024
Untied, to choose Christs way . . .
Jesus we celebrate Your victory
Jesus we revel in Your love
Jesus we rejoice You’ve set us free
Jesus Your death has brought us life
It was for freedom that Christ has set us free
No longer to be subject to a yoke of slavery
So we’re rejoicing in God’s victory
Our hearts responding to His love
His Spirit in us releases us from fear
The way to Him is open, with boldness we draw near
And in His presence our problems disappear
Our hearts responding to His love
Lyrics: John Gibson
One day I was singing this spontaneous song, and I just got hooked into the “Jesus We Celebrate” riff – it developed from there.” It’s not always that easy to (lead) worship in a public setting because you are thinking about so many other things – what you’re playing, the congregation, the band, the other leaders, what God’s saying in it all… all those sort of things. It’s not always that easy to feel relaxed, so the more I use a song in my own personal worship, when I take it into a meeting, the more comfortable I feel with it and am able to use it freely.”