“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”” John 14:1-5 NKJV
Father God,
This verse is known by many of us and is so reassuring when Christians we know have died. Jesus gives us that underlying relief and joy, amid the sorrow, that heaven is their destination. He was there for them. Even though they had no map, directions and had never been there before . . . in Jesus the hope is certain and prepared.
Thomas was honest and confessed his ignorance of the way. It would be a coupe of years before he would actually know, beyond doubt, Jesus was the way to heaven. By seeing the risen Lord with nail marks in His hands! We do not have the opportunity to touch Your pierced hands as he did – but You have touched our lives in so many ways and touched our hearts and given us faith. Thank You for all those occasions when our faith has been strengthened, our hope restored and we have know we can trust Your Word.
Keep our hearts from being troubled. We believe in You, God and in Your Son. We know living with You in heaven will be incredible and shared with those who have gone before. We know that You will never leave us. Thank You for the assurance and comfort Your truth brings.
In Jesus name we give thanks, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. Grant them answers to prayer and light to guide.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. To know Your truth and share it.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. Restored health for Charles and Kate as they rest at home.
For our government and their families. Raise up good honest people now and to stand in this years elections. Lead out those who would hinder good government or have selfish desires.
For Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the beauty of our United Kingdom.
For Ukraine and Russian. We will not cease to ask You to bring peace and an end to war.
For where there is war, military oppression, division: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . be the God of peace and justice and bring change.
For international relationships and politics.
For those bereaved whether through illness, accident, crime or at the end of a long life.
For ourselves, for where we lay our head in this life we give thanks as well as heaven.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 29th January 2024
I love this tune. Londonderry air from Northern Ireland. And the words and swell of the melody perfectly fit.
I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wanderer’s,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and laboured,
And so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour
When He the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King.
Lyrics by Rev William Young Fullerton 1857-1932.
Born at Belfast, Northern Ireland, Rev William was raised Presbyterian, became a Baptist preacher, administrator, and writer. He was influenced by Charles Spurgeon who became his friend and mentor. He became pastor of the Melbourne Hall Baptist Church (Leicester UK). He spoke frequently at Keswick Conventions. Thousands of people came to Christ under his ministry.