Tag: Start the Day

Saturday 27th January 2024

“But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, 10 but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. ” 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 NET

God of eternity,

Paul wrote this to the church when the gifts of prophecy and tongues and words of knowledge were about communication with and from God. There was only the scriptures of the Old Testament. I can’t imagine having no new testament. No wonder Pauls letters and listening to the people who had seen and heard Him were treasured and shared.

Today some churches accept the gifts of the Spirit, some accept some of the gifts, some worry they can be misused. But we all believe in the Trinity, Father son and Holy Spirit. Jesus showed us Your nature and power, raising the dead, healing the sick, stilling the storm and conquering sin and death.

Paul earlier in chapter 2 promises us the Holy Spirit would teach us the deep things of You (1 Corinthians 2:9–15). Your Spirit still speaks to our hearts and minds today. But we cannot always see You clearly. Mirrors were not silvered glass – they were polished stones or brass. Indistinct and blurred. But we will see you one day and face to face.

We look forward to heaven: to be with loved ones who have passed whom we miss. To meet the great men and women of God of centuries past. To walk the streets of gold and see and hear and join the angels around the throne worshipping You. Meanwhile help us to see You, hear You be led by Your Spirit, not be petty or childish, till that day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of eternity,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Good health, good decisions and contentment.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. Be Your love to the world.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. A return to good health. Direct and guide them.
For our government and their families. Raise up good honest people to stand in the elections, and grant us a righteous Government to serve all the people of this nation.
For Ukraine and Russian. We will not cease to ask You to bring peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . change people, situations, hearts, politics.
For international relationships and politics.
For businesses to grow with integrity and not put profits before good service and value.
For farmers and those who work outside whatever the weather.
For the homeless and those who seek to help them. For runaways seeking safety.
For ourselves, we pray Your forgiveness and a day to remember the blessings we take for granted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 28th January 2024
Heaven (eternity with Jesus) is in my heart . . .

O, heaven is in my heart, O, heaven is in my heart
O, heaven is in my heart, O, heaven is in my heart

The kingdom of our God is here (Leader)
Heaven is in my heart (All)
The presence of his majesty (Leader)
Heaven is in my heart (All)
And in his presence joy abounds (Leader)
Heaven is in my heart (All)
The light of holiness surrounds (Leader)
Heaven is in my heart (All)

O, heaven is in my heart
O, heaven is in my heart

We are a temple for his throne (Women)
Heaven is in my heart (All)
And Christ is the foundation stone (Women)
Heaven is in my heart (All)
He will return to take us home (Women)
Heaven is in my heart (All)
The Spirit and the Bride say ‘Come!’ (Women)
Heaven is in my heart

O, heaven is in my heart
O, heaven is in my heart

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick







Friday 26th January 2024

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. 6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 New English Translation

God Almighty,

We all need boundaries, rules. Some of us learned the hard way and got into a few scrapes and a bruised ego. But on the whole they kept us from harm or we had to shoulder the responsibilities when we broke them. Here, You set out clearly Your nature, how You created us to be and how we can live for the best. Not all the thou shalt not’s but showing us the positive possibilities. How to live like Jesus. Is this the attitude You glimpsed in Noah over the rest of mankind? Was it what You saw in the heart of David – even if You knew He was not perfect?

Jesus, our visible image of Your love, and You, our invisible God. (Colossians 1:15). And we rejoice that He didn’t give up on us even when every one gave up on Him!. We mess up and You are patient and kind. We get full of ourselves and You gently humble us. You believe in us, hope the best for us, endure our pettiness. Never stop loving us. If You do discipline us it is for our good (Hebrews 12:5,6). Because of His sacrifice.

You, God are kind, patient, not envious. You do not need to brag. You are never rude, selfish, angry for the sake of it or resentful. You took our sin at the cross, endured death, took our punishment and rose again. Your love is life eternal. Help us learn to love like You.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God Almighty, God who is love,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Show them Your love in answered prayer and give them Your grace and provision for their every need.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. Let love flow through them and us.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. A return to good health. Direct and guide them.
For our government and their families. Raise up the right people to stand in the elections, grant us a good Government to serve all the people of this nation.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle, many miracles . . . Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . change people, situations, hearts, politics.
For international relationships and politics.
For love, righteousness and reconciliation to flow where there are gangs and criminal activities.
For dentists, chiropodists, hairdressers, physiotherapists, chiropractors, opticians, hearing specialists and those who bring relief, help and comfort into daily life.
For those who are on the Samaritan and child help lines. Callers and listeners.
For our doctors, nurses and emergency services.
For ourselves, what we need to keep us full of love today and see the best in people.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 26th January 2024

Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I’ve found in You
Lord I’ve come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I’ll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I’ll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lyrics: Geoff Bullock

Thursday 25th January 2024

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NET

God of love,

This passage used to be very popular for church weddings because it goes on to speak about love. I love that it starts out with some humour! Some, in church, may have noticed that my singing sounds a bit like brass and clanging – it definitely lacks tone. But You remind us that without love our lives sound like a really annoying gong or ear offensive clanging! And others can see and hear that too!

Even if we know all the right answers, can see solutions and have knowledge more than others, are generous and do good, if it lacks love it is hollow. Agape love, is the selfless love that moved You, God to send Your only son for the world’s redemption. The love we receive from you and that You call us to show towards others. Even those who annoy us! It is a call to flavour everything we do with love even when we are not loved back. And its not easy . . .

Today we admit we do clanging sometimes. We cannot always be love without the help of Your Holy Spirit. Rather than beating ourselves up . . . we come to You to say sorry. Help us to love and forgive, even when we cannot forget or trust. And as we continue in our imperfection we thank You because You continue to forgive and wash us and love us and lead us onward, day by day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of love,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Show them You love in answered prayer and through their day..
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. Let love flow through them and us.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. Direct and guide them.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them. Raise up the right people to stand in the elections, grant us a good Government.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle, many miracles . . . Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . change people, situations, hearts, politics.
For international relationships and politics.
For love, righteousness and reconciliation to flow where there are gangs and criminal activities.
For dentists, chiropodists, hairdressers, physiotherapists, chiropractors, opticians, hearing specialists and those who bring relief, help and feeling better into daily life.
For those who are on the Samaritan and child help lines. Callers and listeners.
For our doctors, nurses and emergency services.
For ourselves, a harmonious day with fellowship with You and others and goodwill.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 25th January 2024
What a prayer!

1 Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away our love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver;
let us all Thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then, Thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see Thy great salvation
perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley