“Jesus said to his disciples, “Stumbling blocks are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Watch yourselves!” Luke 17:1-3 NET
Father God,
Tree roots, lap top wires, discarded shoes it seems sometimes I can even trip up and stumble over fresh air! But You are not talking about my inability to stay upright but that life has a way of tripping us up with subtle temptations and annoyances. Times when patience and tolerance flyaway even from Christians! And so subtly.
And You are so merciful when we are lured or trip. You gently help us up and dust us off . . . But if we then lure someone else . . . cause someone else to stumble by our unkindness or careless words. What a picture of warning.
A millstone. I have only seen one once at a water mill museum for grinding flour. It would have need a tractor to move it. Maybe in Biblical times they were smaller but they still were solid stone. No swimming in the sea with one of those, just a plunk and straight to the bottom. You did not mince Your words, God.
If we cause someone else to doubt or sin we cannot put it right and we have put them in eternal danger. So help us to watch ourselves lest we stumble but more so that we don’t cause others to.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father God,
We pray for all those in our family, our kith and kin. We pray for all those in our God family who we know through our church and other fellowships. We pray they will not stumble and You will help them come through troubles unscathed and wiser. We pray for Your healing touch and comfort for those who are not well or are suffering the pains of growing older. Father we pray for all those who are researching new medicines or new ways to allay pain without side effects.
We continue to pray for Ukraine as they continue to be invaded by Russia. Keep them from being overtaken, overruled and oppressed. Speak peace into their present and future.
We pray for the harvest to be gathered in as we approach autumn. And we thank You for all the different harvest times around the world which we benefit from. We pray for good harvests for those who grow their own and have no other income to purchase food. May theirs be abundant. We pray for the new bee keepers in Kenya, learning how to make a living and provide for their families.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 14th September 2023
A traditional hymn but still so relevant for today and beautifully, simply sung. .
Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
(Repeat)
Lyrics: Horatio Richmond Palmer
According to Palmer this song came instantaneously while he was studying the subject of “Theory” It is not clear what he meant by “Theory” or exactly what he was studying. But he says when the whole idea of the words and music came to him, he put aside his theoretical work and jotted down this song as fast as the pen could move.