Tag: Start the Day

Friday 8th Sept 2023

“‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. 36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. 37 “‘Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the Lord.’” Leviticus 19:35-37 NIV

Lord of all,

Leviticus is not an easy read! I wonder how many have read it through every word . . . or need to? Paul tells us all scripture is good for teaching, reproof and correction ( 2 Timothy 3:16). It does not say we can leave some bits out alas. But some of the laws were particular to their time. These verses however struck me as fitting for all ages and all times. I have a rogue weighing scales that sticks and I have to nudge it a bit to make sure it is weighing right. I have been turning my blackberries into bramble jelly jam and the proportions are extremely important or it comes out too runny or too solid!

But it is not the scales fault if they weigh wrong it is user error. And the user who weighs short measure for others is displaying a cheating dishonest character. You never short change us God.

You know when we are being just a bit selfish. Being good but perhaps a little short on generous or not giving help when it would make all the difference. We don’t always do it on purpose Lord. Sometimes we get stuck and need one of Your loving nudges to get us right again. Thank You Lord for bringing us out of our Egypt, out of captivity to sin to live and love and serve. Keep us honest and generous like You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord of all,

We pray for the people in our lives.

We pray for peace and the end to war in Ukraine and an end to warfare coming out of Russia.

We pray for the well being and prosperity of the towns where we live. For our King, his family and our Parliament. For the fellowship, the church where we worship and our brothers and sisters around this wonderful world.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 8th Sept 2023

There is no problem too big
God can not solve it
There is no mountain too tall
He can not move it
There is no storm too dark
God can not calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He can not soothe it

If he carried the weight of the world, upon his shoulders
I know, my brother, that he will carry you
If he carried the weight of the world, upon his shoulders
I know, my sister, that he will carry you

He said, “Come unto me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest”

If he carried the weight of the world, upon his shoulders
I know, my brother, that he will carry you
If he carried the weight of the world, upon his shoulders
I know, my sister, that he will carry you

Lyrics: Scott Wesley Brown




Thursday 7th Sept 2023

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.”
Matthew 23:1-3 NLT

Father God,

I can remember the saying but am not too sure where it came from, ” Do what I say and not what I do!” Jesus is telling his listeners to do as the teachers of God’s law say but do not use them as an example to follow!

I started to think of the Christians I have knows who have been an encouragement to me by their words and their lives. And yet none of them have been perfect! And I too if i look at my life would have to say it is not the epitome of godliness all the time.

But these teachers Jesus was talking about were teachers of the Your Law but made no attempt to live it. And they did not see it as being a relationship with the one who wrote the Law, You! They must have had no fear or realisation that they were ignoring You. But Jesus did not teach us to obey because You were watching us, to mark us down or catch us out for for judgement. He called us to know Him, know His ways, know His forgiveness and follow HIs lead for our blessing and benefit. Jesus did practice what He preached and at great cost.

Help us to hear what You say, and learn to do it. And know Your blessing, our Father.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

You told us not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough worry of its own (Matthew 6:34). So we bring You all that is on our mind today, our family, friends, work colleagues, those who help us get through the day and those who we know through church, clubs and social groups. You know their needs and we bring those who are not well or in pain for Your touch of healing.

Bless Ukraine and Russia with the end of conflict and war. Protect those places in Africa where leadership is oppressive and unkind we pray resent help and a future when You will bring them out without bloodshed.

Bless our Parliament and we pray it will be a place of truth and compassion. Uncover wrong and bless and help those who work away tirelessly for their constituents.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Thursday 7th Sept 2023

O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
 Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinners to find.

Chorus . . .

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.

Chorus . . .

Lyrics: Thomas Obediah Chisholm

2 verses not used in video

O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive the anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing;
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

O to be like Thee! While I am pleading
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love.
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit for a life which Thou wouldst approve.

Wednesday 6th Sept 2023

“But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:40-43 NLT

King of Heaven,

There are many questions I cannot answer. Some people ask questions because they know I cannot answer and want to trip me up. One of the things I have been asked on several occasions is whether pets go to heaven and are there animals in heaven.

Its a very emotional debate for some and, if they do not know You, it can colour their view of Your character. I am learning that it is OK to say I don’t know. There are some things I cannot know this side of heaven and need to trust You with that. Trust seems to come to me through Your Word, Your presence and my experience? I cannot give it to someone else only assure them that You are trustworthy.

I cannot tell if we will spend eternity
With all our pets and creatures great and small,
With fish and birds, and cat and dog and hamster,
And dogs and cats and all things that can crawl,
But this I know that Jesus is my Saviour,
And Heaven above will be a glorious place,
And I will trust him with all unknown answers,
Because I’ll see my Saviour, Jesus face to face.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

King of Heaven,

We thank You for all those we know and love and bring them before You with their needs and to thank You for the blessings in their lives. Even if they do not always see it. We ask You to help us with those difficult relationships and those which have been damaged by tragedy and hurt. Help us forgive and where possible make a way forward.

We hear snippets of news from Ukraine but we trust not in tanks and drones. We dare to ask and trust that You will lead Russia and Ukraine to end war and make peace. Have mercy Lord.

Help those families and children and staff affected by the weak concrete used in their schools and buildings. Provoke those who need to to provide funds to replace it. We pray for good temporary solutions so the new term can commence everywhere and not cause distress and concern for little minds and hearts..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 6th Sept 2023

I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wand’rers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and laboured,
And so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.

I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For yet the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is here.

I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour
When He the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King.

Lyrics: W. Y. Fullerton