Tag: Matthew 1:18-21

Thursday 19th December 2024

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-21 NIV

God who directs our steps,

Father, we worship You today because You fulfilled Your promises and sent a Saviour, a Messiah even if many did not, do not acknowledge Him. You chose to trust us with Your Son, regardless of the cost to Yourself. You chose to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for You. And just as miraculous -You still do! Amazing when You know the good and the bad we are capable of.

Joseph was a normal young man. A carpenter ready to settle down and get married. Probably hoping for sons to work with him. Then suddenly trauma. His betrothed is pregnant and it was not his. Wondering about the disgrace having to tell everyone. Marriage off? Could it be done secretly? Betrayed? But he still did not want to make a public spectacle of her. Then You sent an angelic explanation. He did not respond like Zachariah and question the angel – he just got up and got on with it!

Father, help us to be like Joseph to wait, sleep on decisions to give You time to speak into our thoughts and be obedient when we hear You. Father, help us like Joseph to do the right thing even when it looks otherwise or we may be put out. Help us to learn to listen for You and do what You ask so You don’t have to ask someone else in our place.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who prompts us to do the right thing,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our Christian family. Christmas services and meals planned.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government and for peace in our nation in this season.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For Sudan and all areas of conflict in the Middle East to know a new movement to peace.
For those planning or making journeys for Christmas to see family or friends.
For calm seas and safe ferries. Flights on time and clear roads.
For those who need to be encouraged that they can hear You. To know good choices.
For those making life changing decisions to know Your leading. IN marriage, moving . . .
For us to have Your dreams, see Your hand in our lives and those we love.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Worship Thursday 19th December 2024

I walk by faith, each step by faith
To live by faith, I put my trust in You
I walk by faith, each step by faith
To live by faith, I put my trust in You

Every step I take is a step of faith
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
Every prayer I make is a prayer of faith
And if my God is for me
Who can be against me?

I put my trust in You, I put my trust in You;
I put my trust in You, I put my trust in You
I put my trust in You.I walk by faith, each step by faith
To live by faith, I put my trust in You
I walk by faith, each step by faith
To live by faith, I put my trust in You

Chris Falson



Saturday 14th December 2024

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”” Matthew 1:18-21 NIV

Father God,

From the beginning Matthew’s biography of Jesus shows us clearly that Jesus comes from the nation promised to Abraham and Sarah. You, God fulfilled all Your prophesies of a great nation through their son Isaac. You fulfilled all Your promises of a Kingdom for us through Jesus. Jesus on of those descendants, one of the countless grains of sand promised to Abraham. But Matthew does what writers do, he flashes back in time to set the scene, give the details needed. To exactly 9 months earlier. when Jesus was conceived into the family by the Holy Ghost, to be born as a man.

Joseph must have been shocked that Mary was pregnant. He had an angelic dream he fully remembered! It is a step of faith, believing in the virgin birth, Your Son born to die for us and yet. . . when we do believe, Your Holy Spirit gives us such blessed assurance. When we look back we can see You at work in us and our lives. Thank You for the gift of faith that enabled Joseph to be the best husband and father he could be. Thank You for the gift of faith You give us to be the best we can be and then forgiven for our weakness and failures.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
Thank You for the precious people who enrich our lives.
For our Christian family. Christmas events planned for worship an to welcome new people to.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government, the Commons, the house of Lords, the civil servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For Sudan, the Middle East for peace and the best outcomes for all.
For those organising shelters and meals for Christmas. For help to extend beyond this season.
For all those who find this time of year stressful for whatever reason. Hope, comfort and joy.
For children in orphanages around the world to know loved and security and Your love.
For us to enjoy today and even the mundane that must be done and responsibilities carried out.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 14th December 2024
Story of the author is below the lyrics and the two verses not in the video.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus says the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.

I’m so glad I learned to trust You
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Lyrics: Louisa M R Stead

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” harkens to the joy that can be found having faith in God! Although its author, Louisa M. R. Stead, experienced the terrible loss of her husband she found resolution in her relationship with God. Through the creation of this hymn, she helped many people deal with similar tragedy in their own life by encouraging them to trust in Jesus.

These are the two verses not included in the video.

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.