Proverbs 3:5-6 – Start The Day

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.^“ Proverbs 3:5,6 NET

Father God,

Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus. I love the hymn for its simple truth and yet it is not something we find easy to do. Obey. And it is certainly not fashionable as a concept or in practice! And it is not easy to explain to nonbelievers how we hear You and how we know what to do!

To explain to someone that we trust You, God for help and hope both today and our eternal future. To say that we listen to the Holy Spirits guidance and Your written word . . .. Well, some think we are foolish, outdated and others think us downright dangerous. And perhaps in some cases of extreme religious fanatics they may be right Lord?

Help us learn to live in Jesus His way and therefore Your way, and that it is the very best for us. We know Your love. I have learned by experience Your guiding and protection. You are my source of our life and hope. What other word could we use but obey? With You it has to be all or nothing because You gave Your all for our sinful nothing.

And when we obey? You do make our paths straight – to Your provision in all circumstances. Not always out but through. We bow our hearts and minds before You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors
For Ukraine and Russia. End war. Disrupt missiles, disrupt Putin’s desires for possession.
For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Our hope is in You Lord.
For our criminal justice system, overcrowded prisons. Prison chaplains.
For our young offenders to find faith in You and helped to change practically.
Help this nation to value the Christian faith, the church and Your values for a good life.
For those who have lost sight of goodness, kindness, hope . . . restore and touch them with love.
For us to remember have not let us down in the past and will not do in the future. Bless today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 24th October 2024

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies
But His smile quickly drives it away
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Oh, Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

And ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more

Lyrics: John H Sammis

“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