“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”” John 6:26-29 NLT
God our Father,
I find it embarrassing sometimes when I do something for someone they want to give a gift or do something back, whether from good motives, pride or not wanting to feel indebted. But then I also feel the same when people do something for me. Many of these people had been fed by Jesus by the 5 loaves and 2 fish. Rather than wanting to do something for Him they wanted another miracle! Jesus read their hearts and knew it was not a real desire to do Your work.
You certainly have done something for us! We are indebted to You for feeding us the bread of life in Jesus. We could never match that and that is not what You desire. You want us to accept Your giving, freely, humbly. We discover we could never match Your giving because everything we have is Yours anyway. Even our breath. And so begins faith. To believe who Jesus is, Your Son. Without belief there can be no understanding. Jesus did not come just to show us how to be good and do good. He came to introduce us to the source of Good. By the Holy Spirit delivering love and forgiveness personally. Where would I be without You? You changed my life for good for ever. Thank You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God our Father,
Bless our friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, fellow worshippers with your presence and goodness. For those who do not know or acknowledge You, we pray You will lead them to a place of decision and remove doubt. Remove the barriers to their sight and the hardness of their hearts, one step at a time.
We pray for a new believers and the growing churches in Iran, China, Latin America, Africa and Asia. We pray they will hold fast to You and be able to have their own Bible and find a good fellowship. We pray for those who have become disillusioned because of other believers behaviour or because of their church. We pray that You will strengthen and redirect their steps (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Grant an end to war, and particularly with Ukraine and Russia. You alone can put and end to the stubbornness and hard heartedness of man.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 30th August 2023
You’re the Word of God the Father,
From before the world began;
Every star and every planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice:
Let the skies declare Your glory,
Let the land and seas rejoice!
You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of every man;
And Your cry of love rings out
Across the lands.
Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry,
With a word You stilled the sea.
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free.
With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting victory from the grave,
And ascended into heaven
Leading captives in Your wake.
Now You stand before the Father
Interceding for Your own.
From each tribe and tongue and nation
You are leading sinners home.
Lyrics: Stuart Townend and Keith Getty