Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me

“We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. ²¹We are careful to be honourable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honourable. ²²We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is.”
2 Corinthians 8:20-22 NLT

Lord God,

Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. Letters. I used to love getting letters. I find emails a chore and sometimes I just don’t want the phone to ring! I miss settling down with a cup of tea and writing a reply and posting a letter to a friend. And I love Paul’s letters in the Bible because they could be written to us today. Thank You that Your word is full of people just like us.

How wise it was of Paul to not just do things properly but to ensure others saw that they did. To do things openly and above reproach and use people of integrity. Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Not someone who just lectures on principles or judges others but quietly lives them out. It is so easy Lord to point at others weaknesses rather than getting on with being a good example!

Help us live open lives, nothing hidden. To be the same when we are behind closed doors as we are in public. As the old saying, not just ‘go to meeting Christians’ but living Your life – with Your help.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,
For our family, friends, neighbours. Answer prayer and help us build good relationships (where possible).
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Unity and encouragement.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). For Charles, Kate and Anne, full healing.
For every new or returning Parliamentarian. To find their feet, Your wisdom, personal integrity.
For Paris and athletes preparing for the 2024 Olympics, starting July 26th 2024.
For Gaza, Middle East, Ukraine, Myanmar – an end to hostilities. Peaceful futures.
For our NHS, police force, justice system. Best way forward with integrity. Visionary leadership.
For our farmers, rain and sun but in the order and on the days they need them.
For us gratitude for the things we take for granted and the people who bless our lives.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 8th July 2024
Just enjoy this and let it wash over You. Best beauty treatment ever.

We are called to seek the lost
To show the way to Him.
Put aside your doubts
your inmost fears
and just let His work begin.

So let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

Go with Jesus as you are.
Go with your joy and pain.
When we offer in sincerity
It brings glory to His name.

So let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

I am called in Your name.
So I lift my hands and sing!
Repeat . . .

Chorus . . . Let the beauty of Jesus

Lyrics: Nat and John Hanchett

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

God,

I used to think of this verse as a kind of chill out and relax scripture. When we can take time out and be at peace and still. So the peace of God can come and calm and sooth and all is well again with the world. But as I grow in faith I realise life is just not like that Lord, not often anyway. This is a verse for when calm and quiet is being stressed out of us, worried out of us or pressurised out!

Dentist necessity. Fear of what might happen and fear of what I know probably will. I can do all things through Christ the Bible tells me – well sometimes I know the verse but not the courage! Then this verse became a battle cry within myself. I will let the peace of God rule me amidst the ruckus (disturbance). There are thousands of believers who have proved this in worse circumstances than I find myself in.

But unless I allow the Your peace, Lord God, to rule my heart I will not be able to know it! The battle is Yours. Mine is to submit to You. Sometimes the war is with principalities and powers and sometimes my own flesh! (Ephesians 6:12).

Help me to allow Your peace to rule in my heart. Help me when I am overwhelmed by irrational fear of the known and the unknown. And when we need human support, send a friend!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of eternity,

For our family and friends. Their hopes and needs for today and keep speaking to their hearts. Calm their fears.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Carry them as they care for others.
For the royal family. Take away fear and carry them through this time, to full health.
For our Parliament, Local elections. May the outcomes be the best for the nation.
For the new Police Commissioners to have Your wisdom as they take over.
For Ukraine, we plead for peace. An end to war. May it be Your will.
For Gaza, a good future and talking towards a peaceful way forward.
For Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict and Military oppression. Hope for a future.
For countries where Christians are persecuted. Convert the persecutors as You did Saul to Paul.
For aid agencies and medical help in the midst of many countries turmoil. and danger.
For today, a peace that can rule over our earthly understanding of worry and fear and rule.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 3rd May 2024
A simple chorus I love . . .

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

Something more familiar . . .

Lyrics: Horatio Gates Spafford.