Tag: Start the Day

Friday 5th June 2026

 “The words of Amos, who was among the sheep breeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. 2 And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.” For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment . . . ” Amos 1:1-3 NKJV

“But I will send a fire . . . ” Amos 1:4,7,10,14 and 2:2,5 NKJV

God who speaks,

Amos is given credibility as a prophet. He said you would speak and his listeners noted that there was an earthquake. They would have believed that that was You God getting their attention. Amos says that Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah and Israel are all to be judged. A large circle of all the nations surrounding Israel and lastly Israel, the one in the centre, who should have known better. It is as if they have been weighed in scales and when it got to three sins they teetered in the balance but the forth was just to much and tipped them over into Your judgement God.

And then each one is promised fire that will burn away all their security and life as they know it. But with Israel, You speak of more terrible things to come upon them. It has to be read to be believed. Then, when we think it cannot get any worse, not fire but to be taken into captivity. To lose everything land, security, identity, freedom.

Jesus does not give us room to sin 4 times. The early church sold indulgences but Martin Luther countered it with scripture, that grace could not be sold. We still face judgement for sin and then fire. Jesus warned us (Matthew 18:9). To cut ourselves off from the cause of sin. Not to actually cut of parts of us!. I’d have nothing left! Thank You, we did not get Amos but Jesus who brought not just condemnation but the answer. Not captivity or fire, but the choice of freedom in His Kingdom and a secure future (Galatians 5:1).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 5th June 2026

Jesus we celebrate Your victory
Jesus we revel in Your love
Jesus we rejoice You’ve set us free
Jesus Your death has brought us life

It was for freedom that Christ has set us free
No longer to be subject to a yoke of slavery
So we’re rejoicing in God’s victory
Our hearts responding to His love

His Spirit in us releases us from fear
The way to Him is open, with boldness we draw near
And in His presence our problems disappear
Our hearts responding to His love

Lyrics: John Gibson

Thursday 4th June 2026

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2 So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” 4 Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. 7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. 8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”” Jonah 4:1-9 NKJV

Lord God and Father,

How gently You deal with Your prophet who is in a rage and angry. With You. Not angry that You had a whale swallow him. Not angry that You had him go to a huge pagan city alone and preach judgement and repentance. But that they repented. He knew You were a generous, kind God and he was angry You just forgave such pagaan, sinful people! He was angry at Your kindness?

Then when he found a place to sulk and shade from the sun. At last there was something for Him. Shady leaves. Then the plant died and he wishes he was dead. Well. Here was something to complain about again. Disappointment and anger in his heart. Sometimes it just overtakes us. We don’t realise that we have complained more than we have thanked You Lord.

We don’t see our attitude. We see some people and judge them. We do not want to speak of your love to them as we dont like them. Are we ever angry, jealous of Your kindness to others?

Do You need to make things smell a little fishy to get my attention and stop me complaining? Or when I see plants eaten by the slugs, need to ensure my growth is not being nibbled away by negativity, even anger. You have been nothing but kindness to me.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 4th June 2026
A new arrangement of John Newton’s beautiful hymn, begone unbelief.
Reminding us that the Christian life can be tough and a challenge but that is no excuse to become a seasoned complainer . . .

Begone unbelief, My Savior is near,
And for my relief Will surely appear:
By faith let me wrestle, with God in the storm
And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn
And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn

Though dark be my way, Since he is my guide,
‘Tis mine to obey, and His to provide;
Though cisterns be broken, And creatures all fail,
The word he has spoken will surely prevail.
The word he has spoken will surely prevail.Chorus

Chorus:
Begone unbelief, The Saviour is here (3x)
Though cisterns be broken And creatures all fail
The word he has spoken will surely prevail
The word he has spoken will surely prevail

Why should I complain, Of want or distress
Temptation or pain? He told me no less
The heirs of salvation, I know from his word
Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord
Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord

Since all that I meet will work for my good,
The bitter is sweet, The medicine food;
Though painful at present, will cease before long,
And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror’s song!
And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror’s song!

Lyrics: John Newton
Arrangement: Kevin Twit

Wednesday 3rd June 2026

“And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39 So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. 40 Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. 41 So he said, “Then bring some flour.” And he put it into the pot, and said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.” 2 Kings 4:38-41 NKJV

“Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat.” 43 But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the Lord: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’ ” 44 So he set it before them; and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.” 2 Kings 4:42-44 NKJV

“Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 0 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”” 2 Kings 5:9-10 NKJV

God of Elisha,

It is truly important to those who wrote the history that the prophets are given respect and their deeds recorded. They are the witness of You Lord God working amidst Your people regardless of their apostasy and idolatry. Here we see Elisha obeying You and seeing miracles. He is showing us Your character. The God who wants to keep us from poison, wants to feed us and wants to heal us. Leprosy was often thought to be a judgement on a person.

He gave us a glimpse into the future. To one who would be prophet, priest and King. To be the one who was a walking miracle, able to do them Himself. So we would know know Him for who he was. Jesus who removed evil spirits (Matthew 4:24) who fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) and healed the sick and all who came to Him (Luke 4:40). Elisha served You but Jesus was Emmanuel, You God with us.

Time and again You showed Your people that You were a good God, a God for them, with them. But they did not listen to Your prophets unless they were passed desperate. Today many do not want to know about Jesus, but in crisis call upon Your name. Your grace and mercy is still there. Just as You were still there for Judah and Israel in their sin. Just as You are always here for me. Keep me from sins mess.


Worship Wednesday 3rd June 2026



Lord, I come before Your throne of grace;
I find rest in Your presence
And fulness of joy.
In worship and wonder
I behold Your face,
Singing what a faithful God have I.

What a faithful God have I,
What a faithful God.
What a faithful God have I,
Faithful in every way.

Lord of mercy, You have heard my cry;
Through the storm You’re the beacon,
My song in the night.
In the shelter of Your wings,
Hear my heart’s reply,
Singing what a faithful God have I.

Chorus

Lord all sovereign,
Granting peace from heaven,
Let me comfort those who suffer
With the comfort You have given.
I will tell of Your great love for as long as I live,
Singing what a faithful God have I.

Chorus

Lyrics: Robert and Dawn Critchley