Start the Day – Page 26

Sunday 9th November 2025

““If you love me, obey my commandments. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. ¹⁷He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. ¹⁸No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. ¹⁹Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. ²⁰When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” ²²Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

²³Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. ²⁴Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. ²⁵I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. ²⁶But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. ²⁷“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”” John 14:15-27 NLT

Faithful Father God,

Jesus farewell speech? It reads like one. And for those of us who know what came next we hear it with understanding. But the disciples? Judas asks a question and Jesus does not get distracted, he continues, knowing all will be clear later. How comforting this should have been if they understood it and how empowering it is for those of us hearing it on the resurrection side of the crucifixion.

How many times I have reminded myself I am not isolated and alone – Your Holy Spirit, (You God) are with me. Your truth and powerful peace upholding me. How amazed I am when I think that You, God are Creator, upholding the ever expanding Cosmos, and yet my Saviour risen from the dead. And You choose to be my ever present help and counsellor. I do nothing to deserve such love.

Most translations and versions say, “Peace I leave with You”. I love that this modern translation, taken from the Greek, says, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of heart and mind.” Not to be worked for, earned, searched for, worked at – but received, a gift. This going away speech prepared the disciples even if they did not understand it all till later. It may take me a lifetime to live it. I am so grateful, beyond words, that You show us what we need to know and can have if we come with open hearts and minds.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 9th November 2025

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.

It is enough; earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus, call to heav’n’s perfect peace.

Lyrics: Edward Henry Bickersteth

Saturday 8th November 2025

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”¹³And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. ¹⁴Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ ¹⁵Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” ¹⁶So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. ¹⁷In the evening He came with the twelve. ¹⁸Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” ¹⁹And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” ²⁰He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. ²¹The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” Mark 14:12-21 NKJV

Father of Moses and of me,

So much in this passage. A reminder of Moses, Egypt, the plagues, death of the first born and life and freedom for Gods people. Rituals that had been continued year in and year out. Jesus fulfilling the need for a lamb to take away the sins of the world not just endless scarifies to cleanse Abraham’s descendants.

The disciples preparing for Passover with Jesus as they would have done other years. Trying to do exactly what Jesus asked but no address given! Ah but a man carrying a pitcher of water was unusual – that was women’s work. And this year was different. Jesus spoke of betrayal and Jesus repeatedly telling them he was going to die, be put to death and rise again (Matthew 16:21, 20:18,19 Mark 8:31, 9:32 10:32,33 Luke 9:21,22 . . . )

Jesus spoke about a betrayal so that Judas, who had already decided to do it, would know He knew! But of course the disciples all started making it about themselves. Is it I? Wanting to be seen as the good ones perhaps? Sometimes, I am afraid I will let Him down or He will know like the teachers of my youth – that I could do better?! But it is not about always trying harder or being perfect. It is about a relationship with You, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, who died and rose again and sent His Spirit to live in us. Keeping us forgiven and loved while we learn to be faithful. Simply doing our best and letting You, Lord do the rest.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 9th November 2025
Story of hymn below lyrics.

Holy Spirit, ever dwelling
in the holiest realms of light,
Holy Spirit, ever brooding
o’er a world of gloom and night,
Holy Spirit, ever raising
those of earth to thrones on high,
living, life-imparting Spirit,
you we praise and magnify.

Holy Spirit, ever living
as the Church’s very life,
Holy Spirit, ever striving
through us in a ceaseless strife,
Holy Spirit, ever forming
in the Church the mind of Christ,
you we praise with endless worship
for your gracious gifts unpriced.

Holy Spirit, ever working
through the Church’s ministry,
teaching, strength’ning, and absolving,
setting captive sinners free,
Holy Spirit, ever binding
age to age and soul to soul
in communion never ending,
you we worship and extol.

Lyrics: Timothy Rees

Timothy Rees was ordained a deacon in December 1897, and priest a year later. After serving two years as curate at Mountain Ash, he returned to S. Michael’s College as lecturer, and in 1906 he joined the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, Yorks. He remained there (save for five years as chaplain to the Forces, 1914-19, when he was awarded the Military Cross) till his appointment as bishop of Llandaff in 1931.

It is written that as bishop he gave himself unsparingly to the work of the Church and nation. He was a magnificent orator in Welsh and English, and his earnestness and fervour, combined with a rigid self-discipline, had a profound effect on all those who met him.

The hymn was shorted to 3 verses in 1946

Verse 4 in original.
Holy Spirit, fount and channel
Of the sevenfold gifts of grace,
May we in our hearts for ever
Give to holy fear a place.
Fill our lives, O Lord, with worship,
As with service gladly done;
Bend our souls in adoration
Of the eternal Three in One

Friday 7th November 2025

So when Jesus came, He found that he (Lazarus) had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. ¹⁹And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. ²⁰Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. ²¹Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” ²³Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” ²⁴Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:17-27 NKJV

Father of Compassion,

The gospels are filled with real people and it is wonderful to catch up with some of them on several occasions. We met Mary and Martha when there was a family disagreement about catering and Jesus said, I am here with you now, time for that later!

Martha took the lesson to heart. This time as soon as she heard Jesus was there she went to Him even though she was in mourning. Nothing distracted her not even her grief. And she had an honest conversation with Him. Jesus gave her living proof that He had dominion over life and death in word and in deed. He raised Lazarus from the dead. Four days dead. And she is asked a question we who know Jesus also ask and have answered. Though we die, as we all must, will the Messiah Jesus raise us up so we will live again in heaven? Thank you that we now have written proof Jesus can raise from the dead in Lazarus, but it also takes a step of faith.

And stating what we believe and understanding why can, gives us that assurance we need to live without fear and in hope. It is not easy and sometimes we are distracted Lord by the evil of this world and the negativity of those outside Your Kingdom. So keep us among those who are like minded and love You and Your Word. Keep us, Holy Spirit, like Martha learning to put You first. You are the resurrection and our life. And we desire to live in Your life in all its fulness now and forever (John 10:10).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 7th November 2025

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Lyrics: Anon