Tag: Start the Day

Tuesday 16th December 2025

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:15-23 NIV

Eternal and almighty God,

What a revelation Paul had. Of the relationship between You God and Jesus. Not a big God and a little Son Jesus, but an equal. He was there at the beginning creating with You God when You created the universe and our galaxy and our odd little world and life.

And in Jesus we see what You are like. Your character, Your nature. Your willingness to be part of our lives, to love, to be righteous and to point out hypocrisy and sin. Not to condemn but to give opportunity to repent and be forgiven. Jesus showed us Your compassion and generosity to the point of giving all that He had even His life.

If. I always read carefully the ifs. They are the small print of the contract. Paul clearly outlines them to the Colossians. “If you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Its not about being the best rule keeper, the most generous giver, a nice person. It is about not moving from Christ, our hope. Only he can keep us forgiven. Only He knows what is best for our lives and has secured our future. Because in knowing Him we know You. Hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5 KJV). Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 16th December 2025
A go to positive song of hope and faith. Based on scripture from Pauls writings in Hebrews, Romans, 1 Peter, Colossians . . . and of course Isaiah 49:16, ” I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with himself I cannot die;
My soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Smith

Monday 15th December 2025

 “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Ephesians 4:1-5 NKJV

God and Father of all,

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-20 and this letter to them is a confirmation that they should all be together in faith, worship and belief. Living in unity, lowliness and gentleness as a family under You God our Father. And the same applies to us. Because we are all made One in Christ. “Oh I can be a Christian without going to church!” I have heard it said. I go now and again . . . Paul tells us that regardless of the benefits of belonging to a group of like minded people, it is Your desire that together we serve You and do what we could not do alone. And it will stand the test of time if it is built on Christ.

Paul speaks about putting on spiritual armour in chapter 6 and it is for our own good and for the good of the church. An army of one is vulnerable but the Roman Army showed what a small group working together could withstand! But only if they are united.

Church is sometimes and can be a mess because it is made up of people. But it is the safest place to be. I have found that if I have struggled to get there it has always been worth it. If I feel I am carrying heavy burdens someone is always willing to pray – or even help. Sometimes being able to help someone else has been a reward in itself. So occasionally someone annoys us or says something without thinking. So what? I am a sinner too! Help us to find a church that is our family and maybe let them know.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 15th December 2025

By faith, we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design;
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness,
Who walk by faith and not by sight.

By faith, our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand –
A place where peace and justice reign.

We will stand as children of the promise,
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward.
Till the race is finished and the work is done,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.

By faith, the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death,
And rise triumphant from the grave.

By faith, the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news,
In every corner of the earth.

We will stand as children of the promise,
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward.
Till the race is finished and the work is done,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.

By faith, this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail,
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name.

We will stand as children of the promise,
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward.
Till the race is finished and the work is done,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.
Repeat Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Stuart Townend , Keith Getty & Kristyn Getty

Sunday 14th December 2025

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-20 NKJV

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who Spirit strengthens us,

Paul is writing from Rome and awaiting judgement. But he knows his eternal judgement is safely in Your hands, God. And he is able to leave us this prayer. It is good to read it verse by verse. And dwell on it. Verse numbers annoy me sometimes because they we added much later in the Bibles history. Over a thousand years after it was written, along with chapters, to help navigate. What a prayer to just digest in its fulness.

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, 
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

I can think of no better prayer for a new believer, in a challenging time, a mature or a nominal Christian. It is also a prayer for the church, all of us as one body (Ephesians 4:4) We can pray it for our fellowship! It is powerful if the you is changed to me. Grant me . . .I can pray it for myself in whatsoever state I am in! Today and every day to know there is not a limit, not a measure used with You. We all have all of You, always.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 14th December 2025
Lest we get too big for our spiritual boots . . .

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Lyrics: Stuart Townend