It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” 17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”18 But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.” John 2:13-18 NLT
God of all,
Another incident that John records at the beginning of Jesus ministry. The other gospels place it later. He thought it important to show Jesus intentions? Anyway, it definitely happened! John says Jesus drove the animals out of the temple. A Temple dedicated to God, not a livestock market. The sellers did not riot or attempt to attack Jesus. Guilty consciences? Thank You that You speak to our hearts when we have wrong attitudes.
But those allowing it, the Temple leaders, they challenged Him. Not wanting to loose face. Wanting a miraculous sign and proof that He had authority. Rather than admitting they might be wrong. They did not say he was wrong, but that it was not His job! Some people just cannot admit to making mistakes.
Today . . . it seems to be the same. People do what others are doing and what they can get away with. Things become acceptable. But even where sin has become acceptable, we still need to hear Your voice driving us away from wrong and drawing us near to You and what is right.
Help us to be ready to admit if we may have got it wrong. Not to try and justify our reasons but come clean with You and put thing right what we can.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God of all,
For our family, friends, neighbours. Touch their lives with the best of Your love and provision,
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Drop blessings before them and refresh them.
We pray for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Ours and in other nations.
For the general election and members of Parliament who will serve their constituencies honestly.
For our nations finances, future plans and development.
For Paris and athletes preparing for the Olympics. All nations to compete together safely at peace.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Solutions for peace and the best for all.
For Ukraine, an end to war.
For those who need to forgive and be able to let go. Healing of the hate in memories.
Those who need to forgive themselves as God has forgiven them.
For us to check our hearts and see if we are harbouring any unforgiveness. Even if justified. We may not trust, may avoid for safety, report or challenge if appropriate but not become sour and bitter.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 29th June 2024
New to me but I liked it the first time I read and heard it. The authors life story, below, shows she must have been writing from personal experience!
In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side
Earthly cares forever vex me, while thy trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to that secret place I go,
To the secret place I go.
When my soul is faint and thirsty, ‘neath the shadow of Your wings
There is cool and pleasant shelter, and a fresh and crystal spring;
And my Savior rests beside me, as we hold communion sweet:
If I tried, I could not utter what He says when thus we meet,
What He says when thus we meet.
Only this I know: I tell Him all my doubts, my griefs and fears;
Oh, how patiently He listens and my sorrowed soul He cheers:
Do you think He ne’er reproves me? What a false Friend He would be,
If He never, never told me of the sin which He must see,
Of the sin which He must see.
Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow: this shall then be your reward;
And whene’er you leave the silence of that happy meeting place,
You will surely bear the image of the Master in your face,
Of the Master in your face.
Lyrics: Ellen Lakshmi Goreh
The daughter of the Rev. Nehemiah Goreh, a Christian convert, a Brahmin of the highest class, was born. at Benares, Sept. 11, 1853. Her mother died in December the same year. Ellen was adopted by a Mr. Smailes but he lost all his property in the Mutiny in 1857. Ellen was then taken in by the Rev. W. T. Storrs family and brought to England, where she was educated. At 27 in 1880, she returned to India to take up mission work with her own countrywomen. She published: From India’s Coral Strand: Hymns of Christian Faith [1883]. The best known of these hymns is “In the secret of His Presence.”