Tag: Start the Day

Monday 27th October 2025

“Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. 21 God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. 22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.” Luke 6:20-23

“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2

Lord God,

Jesus spent much time teaching his disciples and anyone who would want to listen to His teaching. As disciples we too need to spend much time learning. It seems that following You is not about strict rules or common sense or even knowing what someone else has done in the situation before. It is about what we need to do. There is nothing better than watching small children learning to do something and the great pleasure they get out of doing it themselves.. Even with a little help from a hovering teacher. Who also gets pleasure from them learning something new.

I pray I will never get bored or complacent at learning from You Lord. Wen I do learn something even if it is from making a mistake it shows me how much You are involved and have invested in my life. It reminds me what You paid so that I may know You as my Father and my Teacher. It reminds me that You know every person intimately. No problem as you say You know every sparrow! (Matthew 10:29-31). And that is overwhelming. You have no favourites (Romans 12:2).

Your Word is as relevant today. As Timothy writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Help us to remain teachable and open to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 27th October 2025
The Bible is not old fashioned, outdated or passé.

Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, wherever we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

Ancient words, ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh, heed the faithful words of Christ

Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart
Repeat . . .

Ancient words, ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart
Repeat . . .

We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Songwriters: Lynn Deshazo

Sunday 26th October 2025

“ One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grain fields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 25 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Mark 2:23-27 NLT

“Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) 11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.” Matthew 12:9-14 NLT

Lord of the Sabbath,

Sometimes it is easier to know the rules and keep them. It helps us behave in the right way in certain circumstances. Essential in some employment. Respectful when we are visiting. We all behave more relaxed when visiting someone we know well.

Sabbath was very regulated in Jesus day. Not everyone kept it I am sure. It was very rigid. How far you could walk, preparing food in advance etc. Some Christians still prepare food in advance to not be doing the work and the mundane on a Sunday. I wish I was that organised sometimes.

But Jesus came along and challenged everything about the Sabbath. With what the heart of the Law meant and not the letter of the Law. He came to set us free. The new rule was no rules – about the Sabbath. But heeding God, respecting that if God needed a day to rest, consider and see what is good how much more do we! Perhaps to find a day when I can rest from doing, have time to think or just to be and consider what God is doing in my life. It may not be a Sunday if work or commitment intrude . . . but a day to walk with You Lord and regain a quiet mind (Psalm 46:10). And I know I need to meet with like minded Christians to worship and keep me focused on You. Sunday can be a busy day . . .

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 26th October 2025
We had this a couple of weeks ago – but for me it seems to encapsulate finding a Sabbath rest even at any time in the week . . .

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper rev’rence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love!

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm!

Lyrics: John Greenleaf Whittier

Saturday 25th October 2025

“So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. 17 But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” 18 So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.” John 5:16-18

“If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. 32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. 33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. 34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. 36 But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you. 39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” John 5:31-38 NLT

Our Father,

Right from the beginning the Jewish leaders wanted rid of Jesus. Even though he was healing people and teaching ways of peace. He would undo all their power and change things. Why are we so anti change even when it is for good? Here Jesus answers them using their own law of three witnesses. If a person had three witnesses to their innocence and telling the truth there would be no judgement. Just as three witnesses to a crime could find a person judged guilty.

So Jesus here calmly explained He had three witnesses to His divinity not just his own. Firstly there was a man called John the Baptist who witnessed (verse 33). Secondly there were His wisdom in teaching and the miracles. Then thirdly there was the Father, You God. You spoke about Him all through the Torah, the Old Testament books of the law and the prophets and the Psalms.

Jesus clearly put forward His truth and then we are told he sailed over to the far side of Galilee to Tiberius. Sometimes we are not called to argue but to state our case clearly and then withdraw to another place. But these truths give us solid ground to build our faith on. Like the man who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27) Providing that knowing them and knowing You leads to a change in our behaviour from sinner to servant of God.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 26th October 2025
A brief story of song is underneath the lyrics.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name
Repeat verse . . .

Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all

When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

Chorus

He is Lord, Lord of all,

Chorus Twice

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne

Lyrics: Edward Mote, Reuben Morgan.

The story of Reuben Morgan’s ‘Cornerstone’ starts back in 1834, when Edward Mote wrote ‘My hope is built on nothing less’ (or to give it Mote’s original snappy title, ‘The immutable basis for a sinner’s hope.’) Edward was baptised at 18 and was a cabinet maker when he wrote the hymn in 1837

It seems the hymn came to Reuben at exceptionally dark time for the nation of Norway. He had travelled there in 2011, arriving the day after the horrific attacks by Anders Breivick, which had claimed the lives of 77 people. It was the deadliest attack in the country since the second world war. He was reminded of the verse “When darkness seems to hide His face”. and gave it a new life and new chorus.