Job 1:1-5 – Start The Day

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. ²And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. ³Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. ⁴And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. ⁵So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.” Job 1:1-5 NKJV

Father God,

An aside from the history of Israel to be introduced to Job and his family. Job lived an upright and blameless life. He feared You (in the best sense of the word), he tried to please You, Lord and stayed away from evil. He is wealthy and counts his family as his greatest treasure before his many possessions and livestock. He cared deeply for his children and their spiritual well-being. So much so he rose early and made his first duty to make sacrifice for them in case they had sinned. He valued his relationship with You above all.

So the scene is set. I do not want to go further with Job as this is a day we too rise early to gather together as church, to give a sacrifice of praise, take communion and remember all You have done for us. None of us knows what is coming tomorrow. One thing is certain, Lord God, You did not send the trouble that came to Job. Suffering is not always punishment. We, like Job, need You for whatever unfolds. So today we will trust, worship, praise, give thanks and intercede.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Sunday 30th August 2026

Ev’rything that, everything that, everything that has breath praise the Lord
Ev’rything that, everything that, everything that has breath praise the Lord

Praise You in the morning, praise You in the evening
Praise You when I’m young and when I’m old
Praise You when I’m laughing, praise You with I’m grieving
Praise You every season of the soul
If we could see how much You’re worth
Your power, Your might, Your endless love
Then surely we would never cease to praise

Chorus

Praise You in the heavens, joining with the angels
Praising You forever and a day
Praise You on the earth now, joining with creation
Calling all the nations to Your praise
If we could see how much You’re worth
Your power, Your might, Your endless love
Then surely we would never cease to praise

Chorus

I will worship You with every breath . . .

Lyrics: Matt Redman

“There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. ²He had seven sons and three daughters. ³He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. ⁴Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. ⁵When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.“ Job 1:1-5 NLT

Father God,

Most Bible Scholars place Job as living in the times of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so this seems a good place to put him in my year through the Bible. A good family man whose children lived all around the area. And like most parent he was worried they did not always behave as they should. He had everything he needed but he still acknowledged his need of You. And took responsibility for his children and prayed that You might forgive them too.

It is a good place to start Lord. Even though we know the rest of the story he didn’t. He just lived one day at a time, doing the best he could, using the influence he had, and keeping in a right relationship with You.

It was what Jesus told us to do. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34). One day at a time. And we can trust You to be with us tomorrow just the same. So today we pause and give thanks and say sorry for anything we have done wrong or not done right and leave tomorrow in Your care.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Thursday 23rd January 2025
Golden oldie . . .

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Lyrics: Johnson Oatman Jr.