Tag: Start the Day

Tuesday 21st October 2025

“The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.” Mark 1:12 NLT

“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.” Luke 4:1-2 NLT

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.” Matthew 4:1-2 NLT

Lord God Almighty,

I cannot imagine a 40 day fast though I have heard of people who have tried it with some medical supervision. I am glad we are called to have faith and not have to try to be anything but human! And Jesus shows us how to handle difficult situations. Like temptation. Jesus said, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!” (Luke 17:1) It is not all answered prayer and peace when we become Christians, but there is a way to get peace back. Jesus proved he knew His scripture when in the wilderness, Your Words, He was the Word! He silenced the devil with Your truth. “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 “You must not test the Lord your God.” Matthew 4:7 “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” Matthew 4:10.

How often after a spiritual high, comes a low or an attack or a temptation or even a fellow Christian letting us down. Jesus said that was to be expected. We live in a fallen world and the devil has not been finally silenced yet. But let it not be us causing trouble! Jesus suffered physically, mentally and emotionally in the wilderness and showed us how to turn to You Father. To survive as more than a conqueror (Romans 8:38-39) and to come out stronger.

You feed us truth to counter lies. You ask us not to try to be You but to ask, seek and find You in all our situations for our best. To check that nothing else has taken the place of You in our hearts and lives and cast it out if it has. No-one said it would be easy being a follower of Jesus and our faith is not a prop as some people think. It is a way of to live in love, in hope and in trust.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 21st October 2025
This is a sobering hymn. But we have Jesus with us.

Jesus walked this lonesome valley;
He had to walk it by himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for him;
He had to walk it by himself.

We must walk this lonesome valley;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us;
We have to walk it by ourselves.

You must go and stand your trial;
You have to stand it by yourself.
Oh, nobody else can stand it for you;
You have to stand it by yourself.

Lyrics: Although listed as an American folk hymn in most hymnals, it appears that its origins may be found in a conflation of the Appalachian folk song tradition and the African American spiritual. The song, known as part of a group under the theme of “journey songs,” appears in The Faith We Sing as one of many variants, much simplified and adapted both in text and melody.

Monday 20th October 2025

“It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! 5 The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. 6 And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”” Luke 3:1-6 NLT

“21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”” Luke 3:21-22 NLT

God our Father,

Just as You promised in Isaiah all those years previously, John the Baptist came and announced the coming of the Saviour. John heard God’s call in the wilderness (verse 2) and obeyed. He did not whinge, water down the message or run the other way. And it was not an easy calling . . . And then he had the awesome privilege of baptising Jesus. Help us not to whinge, water down the gospel or run away.

And John and those there at the time witnessed the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus and heard God affirming His Son. And that this man Jesus was Your Son God and brought You much joy! Right at the outset God You acknowledged Your Son, there could be no doubt. This is not a just a nice story, a myth or a legend. This is a historical record. It was recorded by Luke 3:21-22 by Matthew in 3:13-17 and by Mark in 1:9-11. Also in John 1:29-34. You God the Father, and the Holy Spirit acknowledged Jesus was Your Son and the promised Saviour. Help us to acknowledge You as our God and Jesus our Saviour.

Help us to know You joy in us too, imperfect as we are. As you foretold in Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 20th October 2025

King of kings, majesty,
God of Heaven living in me,
gentle Saviour, closest friend,
strong deliverer, beginning and end,
all within me falls at your throne.

Your majesty, I can but bow.
I lay my all before you now.
In royal robes I don’t deserve
I live to serve your majesty.

Earth and Heaven worship you,
love eternal, faithful and true,
who bought the nations, ransomed souls,
brought this sinner near to your throne;
all within me cries out in praise.

Your majesty, I can but bow.
I lay my all before you now.
In royal robes I don’t deserve
I live to serve your majesty.

Repeat second verse and chorus . . .

Lyrics: Jarrod Cooper

Sunday 19th October 2025

“Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.”
Luke 2:28-33 NLT

“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to every- one who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38

“Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant. 51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and all the people.” Luke 2:46-52 NLT

Father in heaven,

Again I turn to Luke as he records the few details of your Son’s childhood. He was just like one of us but those who were close to You recognised Him. Anna and Simeon. And You loved not just learning but understanding even when You were young. And You grew in wisdom and favour. with God and all people.

Help us to be able to recognise where You are working and what You are doing. And we ask that we might join in and help. Help us not just to learn about You facts and text addresses but have understanding. As no two situations are the same and we too need Your wisdom to do good and no harm. Help us to win favour with people so we can share the gospel. Even if they have rough edges or are prickly. And may You look upon us with favour through Your Son.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 19th October 2025
I need to speed through the gospels to reach Revelation by December 31st but can always find time to reread and remember His life. This may be a dated hymn now but I love it.

Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart ev’ry word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus
sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Tell me the story of Jesus,
write on my heart ev’ry word;
tell me the story most precious,
sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
tell of the days that are past,
how for our sins He was tempted,
yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labour,
tell of the sorrow He bore,
He was despised and afflicted,
homeless, rejected, and poor.

Chorus

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
writhing in anguish and pain;
tell of the grave where they laid Him,
tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
love paid the ransom for me.

Chorus

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby