Outrageous grace – Start The Day

“When they (wise men) saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:10-12 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

The only God, only wise God,

You are love. But you cannot overlook wrong. You will judge and find guilty those whose names are not written in the book of life (Revelation 20:12). A sobering thought and why we share the love of Jesus, the good news. Love that forgives those who are sorry. Christmas is a time to remember You are a generous giving God. It is not just about Christmas movies, traditions, eating, more eating and having a good time.

You inspired the wise men to follow the sign, the star, and find You. They met a helpful King. No reason to suspect Him. But You read hearts God. You know the ways of man and sent them home another way avoiding him. When we choose You we choose to go another way, Your way. You teach us to give love, even to our enemies, but don’t say we have to trust them. You teach us to be as wise as serpents as harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16).

You spoke to the wise men in a dream. Speak to us, through dreams, Your Word the Bible and Your Holy Spirit, so we know how best to go forward. Help us to know what is good, true and kind and will bear fruit. Help us to know when someone is not what they appear. Or not being truthful. Keep us from half lies. Not so we can get our own back, but so we can avoid trouble. And walk Your path of peace.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
The only wise God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For Ukraine and Gaza and an end to conflict.
For our churches and all those places that have celebrated Your birthday and shared meals and food and given shelter to those without homes.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love.
For ourselves, that You would give us good dreams and good sleep and restful days.

In Jesus powerful, loving name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 27th December 2023

Outrageous Grace

There’s a lot of pain but a lot more healing
There’s a lot of trouble but a lot more peace
There’s a lot of hate but a lot more loving
There’s a lot of sin but a lot more grace

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There’s a lot of fear but a lot more freedom
There’s a lot of darkness but a lot more light
There’s a lot of cloud but a lot more vision
There’s a lot of perishing but a lot more life

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Short music bridge

There’s an enemy
That seeks to kill what it can’t control
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills
But I will call on my Lord
Who is worthy of praise
I run to Him and I am saved

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Godfrey Birtill

“What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. ²The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. ³Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire – they all conspire together. ⁴The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion.” Micah 7:1-4 NIV

Heavenly Father,

Today I read this and I just could not believe how like today it sounds! And how easy it is to moan and complain. Then I realise I have not rose coloured glasses on or even ordinary ones but 3D pessimistic specs on! They shade out any good or hope and just leave the depressing and the bad. If I am not careful I can start to think this is all there is! The enemy is a liar and he exaggerates.

Micah speaks about what is making Him miserable and then in verse 7 he says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Today You tell us to “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2). We do not want to loose heart believing lies and yet we cannot over look evil.

We do not want to put on rose coloured glasses and pretend all is well either. Help us look through Your eyes, heavenly Father, and see all the good that is being done not just round the world but here around us. And we can see the tiny bit of good we can do that adds to the whole and we will not loose heart. Keep our hope alive and well and doing good where we can.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Heavenly Father,

We pray You will keep our loved ones seeing the good and being encouraged. Fill their lives with blessings and grant them a smooth path when life gets rocky.Grow our church and give our ministers godly inspiration and leadership.

We pray for those who do not have enough to buy food and thank You for all the food banks and places that provide meals.

For those who wait to shed blood or hunt for ways to get revenge. For those whose hands are skilled in doing evil, for people in places of responsibility who are not honest and powerful people who do what is best for themselves or conspire with others, We pray You will sound the alarm in their lives so they have chance to stop, change and send confusion amidst their plans. And bring justice before them so they can make restitution and change their ways.

Thank You for every person and organisation and charity that helps, does good and is supportive. Whether it is in a small way or a life changing way. Even if it is just a cup of tea. Prosper all they do and reward them with Your well done.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 12th August 2023
This is quite a long one but I love it because reminds me of darkness can never put out the Light of God. His grace is outrageous in every best sense of the word.

There’s a lot of pain but a lot more healing
There’s a lot of trouble but a lot more peace
There’s a lot of hate but a lot more loving
There’s a lot of sin but a lot more grace

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There’s a lot of fear but a lot more freedom
There’s a lot of darkness but a lot more light
There’s a lot of cloud but a lot more vision
There’s a lot of perishing but a lot more life

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There’s an enemy
That seeks to kill what it can’t control
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills
But I will call on my Lord
Who is worthy of praise
I run to Him and I am saved

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Lyrics: Godfrey Birtill