O to be like Thee blessed Redeemer

“Abraham lived for 175 years, ⁸and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life.” Genesis 25:7,8 NLT
“As the boys grew up, Esau became a skilful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. ²⁸Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. ²⁹One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. ³⁰Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”) ³¹“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” ³²“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”” Genesis 25:27-32 NLT

Father God,

Even your people can become dysfunctional families! There was obviously favouritism and jealousy from birth and openly shown. Do we show favouritism and in doing so put someone down? It led to Esau showing disrespect for his family openly. He disrespected and traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a meal. Afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. One wrong action led to another . . .and it was then too late for repentance, even though he begged (Hebrews 12:16-17).

Help us to learn to love as You love. Paul words it so beautifully in Hebrews 13:4-8 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” We just need to be the best we can be and trust You, God for the rest.

Esau was not dying of starvation. Help us to not just see our own immediate needs out of proportion. Thank You that it is never too late to repent with Jesus and help us to grow like Jim in grace and truth.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Saturday 11th January 2025
Love this thoughtful rendition.

O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinners to find.

Chorus

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.

Chorus

Lyrics: Thomas Obediah Chisholm

Pray for the residents of Los Angeles.
Pray for Ukraine and the Middle East.

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ²“The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.³So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.”
Matthew 23:1-3 NLT

Father God,

I can remember the saying but am not too sure where it came from, ” Do what I say and not what I do!” Jesus is telling his listeners to do as the teachers of God’s law say but do not use them as an example to follow!

I started to think of the Christians I have knows who have been an encouragement to me by their words and their lives. And yet none of them have been perfect! And I too if i look at my life would have to say it is not the epitome of godliness all the time.

But these teachers Jesus was talking about were teachers of the Your Law but made no attempt to live it. And they did not see it as being a relationship with the one who wrote the Law, You! They must have had no fear or realisation that they were ignoring You. But Jesus did not teach us to obey because You were watching us, to mark us down or catch us out for for judgement. He called us to know Him, know His ways, know His forgiveness and follow HIs lead for our blessing and benefit. Jesus did practice what He preached and at great cost.

Help us to hear what You say, and learn to do it. And know Your blessing, our Father.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

You told us not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough worry of its own (Matthew 6:34). So we bring You all that is on our mind today, our family, friends, work colleagues, those who help us get through the day and those who we know through church, clubs and social groups. You know their needs and we bring those who are not well or in pain for Your touch of healing.

Bless Ukraine and Russia with the end of conflict and war. Protect those places in Africa where leadership is oppressive and unkind we pray resent help and a future when You will bring them out without bloodshed.

Bless our Parliament and we pray it will be a place of truth and compassion. Uncover wrong and bless and help those who work away tirelessly for their constituents.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Thursday 7th Sept 2023

O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinners to find.

Chorus . . .

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Thomas Obediah Chisholm

2 verses not used in video

O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive the anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing;
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

O to be like Thee! While I am pleading
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love.
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit for a life which Thou wouldst approve.